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Roy Keane hails Man Utd star for actions in Man City loss as Kobbie Mainoo under threat
Roy Keane has hailed a Man Utd star who could pose a threat to Kobbie Mainoo's regular status in the team.
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Marcus Rashford momentarily silenced his critics by firing Manchester United into a surprise lead in yesterday's 3-1 derby defeat at Manchester City. But despite the 26-year-old's spectacular strike, Roy Keane reserved special praise for Scott McTominay's role as United led 1-0 at half-time at the Etihad Stadium.
Days after The Players' Tribune published an honest interview with Rashford, he delivered a first-time hammer blow in the eighth minute to beat Ederson from range.
It sent the away end into raptures and offered Erik ten Hag a glimmer of hope that he could oversee a seventh consecutive away win and deny City a double over their bitter rivals.
Andre Onana started the move with a long ball up the field, which Bruno Fernandes held up before laying it off for Rashford to blitz home from around 25 yards.
While he praised Rashford's sixth goal of the season, Keane hailed McTominay's darting run beyond the defence, which pulled John Stones and Rodi away from the United forward, offering him space to shoot.
"It was a brilliant goal, it's been a brilliant first half, it's flown by, chances everywhere. Again, City will be disappointed with this," Keane explained on Sky Sports.
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"It's a kick down the pitch from the goalkeeper, a great run from McTominay. Bruno does well, and he knocks it back to Rashford. Again, straightforward, it can't be much simpler than this.
"City with their arms up, McTominay makes a great run which takes the defenders away. Marcus, he's done it before, world class finish - there is nothing wrong with his body language today."
City's quality prevailed in the second half as Phil Foden struck twice before Erling Haaland added a third near the death, leaving United 11 points off the top four.
Erik ten Hag named McTominay in his starting lineup for the second successive game, also picking him for last Wednesday's 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.
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Kobbie Mainoo dropped out of the team as a result of McTominay's inclusion at the City Ground but returned to play alongside the Scot and Casemiro in the derby.
The 18-year-old was again United's standout midfielder and the silver lining on another disappointing derby day.
But his status as an indispensable fixture in Ten Hag's side could be at risk if McTominay continues to impress his manager, who would've also noticed his role in Rashford's opener.
Mainoo dropping to the bench for the second time in three games against Everton on Saturday would be a shock, though. If anything, Casemiro may be the player more at risk.