Roy Keane has been proven right about Manchester United thanks to four results

Not even the most optimistic of Manchester United supporters would have anticipated Erik ten Hag's side beating Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

United crossed the Manchester divide and into the blue half of the city with the ambition of reigniting their top four push after being beaten by Fulham eight days earlier. Most United fans, deep down, however, were just praying they could avoid being on the receiving end of a harrowing scoreline.

Unlike last season's 6-3 demolition, the scoreline had a much more respectful look to it this time around, with United losing 3-1. They led for the best part of 50 minutes, following Marcus Rashford's stunning opener, but struggled to come up with an answer once City started turning the screw.

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City pushed United back in the second half, forcing them deeper and deeper, and eventually found a way through on three occasions, twice through Phil Foden and once via Erling Haaland. The result boosted City's title hopes while United now face an uphill struggle to finish inside the top four.

Ten Hag's side are now 11 points shy of the final guaranteed Champions League berth, meaning their form between now and the end of the season needs to be almost faultless. They face a mixed bag of assignments between now and the end of the campaign, ranging from clashes with Liverpool and Arsenal to home games against Sheffield United and Burnley.

The clashes against the likes of the Blades and Clarets ought to result in three-point hauls for the Reds. However, United, at times, have come unstuck this season when the onus has