Man United beat Spurs in midweek and if that wasn’t enough then just three days later they have managed to overthrow Manchester City at the Etihad.
Against Spurs, Ole sent out his men to take the match by the scruff of the neck and that is exactly what they did meaning Jose Mourinho had to suffer his first defeat as the Spurs boss at the hands of his former club.
But according to Roy Keane, beating Tottenham was not a ‘big deal’ for Manchester United.
Yes, the United legend believes that the three points against Man City on Saturday will give his former side much more confidence going forward towards the busy festive period.
“I said before the show, I don’t think beating Tottenham at home was a big deal,” he said on Sky Sports[as quoted].
“Spurs, we know their mentality. But beating Man City can only give the players confidence. The players have been criticised a lot and today we need to take our hats off. They were outstanding.
“It was a Manchester United performance. The way they managed the game, the blocks, it was brilliant.
“For me, that’s what Manchester United is all about. But they have to do is consistently and they do need a helping hand and hopefully, they get that.”
We have no idea as to how Jose Mourinho will react to this comment from Keane but the new Spurs boss did make a statement after the midweek clash which seems to be holding true for now.
According to Mourinho, the Man United play, they are most likely to pick up points against sides who are willing to take the initiative during matches and not just sit back and defend.
“You look at United’s results this season against the best teams and they had good results,” he told a news conference after Spurs’ loss to United.
“I think at home when they play like they did [against] Chelsea, Liverpool and Leicester – also a great team this season – they always had this kind of attitude. I think it’s easier for them.
“I think for the way they play it’s easier for them, they’re not afraid to be with a defensive approach, they are not afraid to be at home and to take their time, to be in control of the emotions of the game and then lots of young people with lots of energy and with a good mentality.
“When they are winning matches, they are comfortable in this situation of low block with a giant [Harry Maguire] there almost dominating in the air and being fast in counter-attack with Marcus, with [Daniel] James, with Jesse [Lingard], with [Anthony] Martial.
“I think the way they play it’s easier for them when they play against the teams that are better teams, teams that want more of the ball, teams that want to have the initiative of the game so I think they did well.”
