03 March 2024 , 17:54
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Roy Keane praised Marcus Rashford's body language following his first-half performance in Sunday's Manchester derby.
The Manchester United forward has endured a difficult season and came out fighting earlier this week at critics who had honed in on his body language on the pitch. He silenced said critics in style, too, by dispatching a thunderbolt beyond Ederson in the eighth minute at the Etihad.
Manchester City would produce a rousing second-half fightback to win the match 3-1 courtesy of a brace from Phil Foden and a late goal from Erling Haaland. But Rashford was lauded at the interval by Keane, who was impressed.
He told Sky Sports: “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. 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.”
Keane's comments come in the aftermath of Rashford going public to respond to criticism that's been levelled at him this season, particularly comments related to his work-rate and commitment.
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“Listen, I’m not a perfect person,” Rashford told The Players' Tribune. “When I make a mistake, I’ll be the first one to put my hand up and say that I need to do better.
“But if you ever question my commitment to United, that’s when I have to speak up. It’s like somebody questioning my entire identity and everything I stand for as a man. If you start questioning my commitment to this club and my love for football and bringing my family into it, then I’d simply ask you to have a bit more humanity.”
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Rashford opened the scoring in style against Manchester City (Catherine Ivill)Defeat means United are now 11 points behind Aston Villa, who currently occupy the fourth and final Champions League spot in the current Premier League standings.
The result is also unlikely to ease the pressure on Erik ten Hag, who has overseen an underwhelming campaign. His long-term future is unclear now that Ineos, headed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are now in control of sporting operations at Old Trafford.
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