Roy Keane believes Newcastle fully deserved to batter Man Utd and are in the favourites to seal a Champions League return.
A Toon side managed by Jason Tindall were electric in the second half as Harvey Barnes brace and Bruno Guimaraes added to Sandro Tonali’s first half volley.
Newcastle have a tough task for their game in hand when in-form Crystal Palace will travel to St. James’ Park on Wednesday, but we’ve won five on the spin in all competitions and look full of confidence and belief.
Victory over Oliver Glasner’s side, who lost 5-2 at Man City on Saturday, would see Newcastle go above Nottingham Forest in third and just four points behind second placed Arsenal with six to play.
Keane on 4-1 battering
Roy Keane was honest as ever as he analysed Newcastle’s comfortable 4-1 victory over Manchester United.
Even Red Devils manager Ruben Amorim conceded that the Toon were the better team in his post-match interview as his side were forced into multiple errors in a second half that we asserted total control.
The Irishman is evidently fed up with their performances, claiming the “outstanding” Newcastle were too strong, too fast and too determined for a physically and mentally weak Man Utd side.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “We keep making excuses for this Man United team. There aren’t enough players that can run in this team, I think there are players that don’t want to run. Newcastle were outstanding.
“I think [Man] United now are physically and mentally a weak team. Newcastle were too fast, too powerful, they were more determined and they got what they deserved.
“Well done Newcastle, they were outstanding but [Man] United, there was talk before the game that things were getting better for this [Man] United team but I can’t see it. I worry for this group of players. To me, they do not look like a strong group mentally.
Keane: Newcastle in the driving seat
Keane then explained why he sees us as favourites for Champions League qualification, believing we’ll cope with the pressure and are becoming better at winning the “big matches.”
“Newcastle are in the driving seat for a Champions League spot now,” said the iconic midfielder.
“They have got good options off the bench. Their attacking players have been on fire. This is where you find out about your squads.
“Newcastle have got used to winning big matches. I think they will deal with the pressure and I think they have a great chance now. They are in the driving seat.”
Five wins on the spin, a game in hand against Crystal Palace in midweek that will see us go third provided we don’t lose, and upturn in form has put us in a great position.
Results went our way once again on the weekend and any questions about whether the season would begin to tail off after the Carabao Cup final victory have been definitively answered.
Nottingham Forest lost for the second week in a row due to Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure netting a last gasp winner four minutes into second half injury time. Chelsea too dropped points again, clawing back a two goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Ipswich Town.
