'Unforgivable': Premier League legends savage Man United act

Manchester United legends Roy Keane and Gary Neville have let rip at their former club after a humiliating defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League.

City improved their gap to six points at the top of the Premier League table after demolishing United 4-1 in a display legend Roy Keane described as 'unforgivable'.

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United now sit 22 points behind the league leaders and following their second-half performance it appears they'll be fortunate to make an automatic Champions League spot in the Top 4.

It was being outclassed at home and losing 2-0 to City in the derby in November that precipitated the firing of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

However, coach Ralf Rangnick showered City with praise following the brutal loss and admitted there was a huge gap between the two clubs.

"They showed what kind of top quality team they have," the United interim manager said.

However, this didn't sit well with some of the club legends.

United created chances in the first half and equalised after a moment of magic from Jadon Sancho.

Yet the performance quickly tapered off in the second-half as City ran riot.

Neville said the players' lack of fight was a 'disgrace'.

"Manchester United's response to going 3-1 down has been embarrassing. Ninety-two per cent possession for City? They have given up," he said on Sky Sports commentary.

"They are walking around the pitch. It's nowhere near good enough.

"There can be no complaints. City have been absolutely outstanding. But as a Manchester United fan, it's embarrassing.

"City played brilliantly in the second half. But the effort and intensity from United in the last 20 minutes was non-existent."

Keane had a similar view.

"The worst thing that you could say about United is that they gave up," Keane added.

"In any game, if you give up, it's unforgivable really. The beauty of top-level sport is that there's no hiding place.

"I know United have done well there in the last few years, but we saw all of United's shortcomings today. Man City were very good in the second half, but there are ways to lose football matches.

"You've got players not putting in performances and players not running back. They stopped running and they gave up. I don't understand it."

Manchester City trounce United

It was Mahrez's turn to contribute the goals after the break at the Etihad Stadium — starting with an assist from De Bruyne.

Mahrez connected with a corner from the Belgium playmaker with a half-volley that slightly deflected off Maguire before nestling in the net in the 68th.

There was initially an offside reprieve for United in the 90th but then the VAR review did allow Mahrez's strike to count, compounding the misery for United.

At Vicarage Road, a cut-back from Bukayo Saka set up Martin Odegaard to slot in the opener in the fifth minute.

Although Watford levelled though Cucho Hernandez's acrobatic volley, Saka restored the lead in the 30th after a one-two with Alexandre Lacazette.

Gabriel Martinelli's curling shot at the start of the second half extended the lead for Arsenal, who endured a nervy end after Moussa Sissoko's goal in the 87th but Watford couldn't muster a comeback and remain next-from-last in the standings.

with AAP

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