Roy Keane shares Manchester United concern ahead of Man City fixture

Former captain Roy Keane has said Manchester United are 'slipping behind' their Premier League rivals ahead of this afternoon's Manchester derby against City at Old Trafford.

The Reds headed into the all-Manchester encounter eighth in the table, five points behind fourth-placed Liverpool and six behind third-placed City. Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal currently occupy first and second on 26 and 24 points respectively after victories already this weekend.

United have experienced a mixed start to the season, winning five and losing four of their opening nine league outings. They have won each of their last two, beating Brentford and Sheffield United, meaning they take some momentum into this afternoon's tussle with Pep Guardiola's side.

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The Reds have spent the best part of the last decade in City's shadow, desperately trying to close the gap on their neighbours. They did provide rays of hope to suggest the gap was narrowing last season after a successful first season under manager Erik ten Hag.

However, their stop-start beginning to this season has meant the aforementioned gap is still no closer to narrowing. But more concerning for Keane is the way in which other clubs have kicked-on this season, leaving United lagging behind.

"I think what I would say about the team is obviously they are in a difficult spell and the performances have been nowhere near good enough," Keane told Sky Sports. "You look at the table and the fact they have obviously lost four games in terms of the teams in the top half of the table, and their goal difference is really poor, it looks like they're just surviving at the moment.