Roy Keane hails Man Utd star for actions in Man City loss as Kobbie Mainoo under threat

Roy Keane has praised a Manchester United player who could challenge Kobbie Mainoo for a starting role.

Marcus Rashford put his detractors on pause yesterday when he scored a stunning goal to put Manchester United ahead of Manchester City in yesterday’s 3-1 derby. At the Etihad Stadium, United led 1-0 at halftime thanks to the 26-year-old’s spectacular strike. However, United’s manager Roy Keane had special words of praise for Scott McTominay’s performance.

In the eighth minute, Rashford scored a first-time hammer blow to beat Ederson from range, just days after an honest interview with him was published in The Players’ Tribune.

It sent shockwaves through the away section and gave Erik ten Hag reason to believe that his team could pull off an unlikely comeback, preventing City from sweeping their long-time rivals.

After Bruno Fernandes controlled a long ball from Andre Onana, the move continued with Rashford rushing in from about 25 yards out to score.

As he lauded Rashford for his sixth goal of the season, Keane lauded McTominay for his nimble run beyond the defense that allowed United’s forward to shoot by dangling John Stones and Rodi out of his path.

It was a fantastic goal, and the first half as a whole has been fantastic; time has flowed, and chances have been plentiful. The disappointing news for City is something Keane explained on Sky Sports.

Scott McTominay played a key role in Marcus Rashford’s goal. (Image: Getty)

The goalkeeper has kicked the ball down the field, and McTominay made a fantastic dash for it. After doing a good job, Bruno gives the ball back to Rashford. It can’t get much easier than this, I promise.

As City raise their arms in victory, McTominay breaks free with a brilliant run, evading the defenders. There is nothing amiss with his body language today, Marcus; he has accomplished this before, and his finish is world class.

United fell 11 points behind the top four as a result of City’s dominance in the second half, which saw Phil Foden score twice and Erling Haaland score a third goal in stoppage time.

After starting McTominay in last Wednesday’s 1-0 FA Cup victory at Nottingham Forest, Erik ten Hag decided to start him again for the second game in a row.

In the City Ground, Kobbie Mainoo was left out of the squad because of McTominay’s inclusion; however, in the derby, he came back to play with the Scot and Casemiro.

Despite another disappointing derby day, the 18-year-old was once again United’s outstanding midfielder.

If McTominay keeps up his impressive play, though, Ten Hag may start to question his place in the starting lineup—after all, the manager would have noticed him in Rashford’s opener.

It would be surprising, though, if Mainoo was benched for Saturday’s match against Everton, his second appearance in as many games. Casemiro might be the most vulnerable player.