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Manchester Evening News
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Ricky Charlesworth & Stephen Killen

Every word of Roy Keane and Micah Richards' heated debate over Man United's approach after 6-3 loss to Man City

Manchester City's thumping victory over bitter rivals Manchester United had it all.

There were nine goals, including two hat-tricks and a myriad of talking points to emerge from what was a red-hot 188th Manchester derby.

Following the game the fall-out continued in the Sky Sports studio with former United man Roy Keane engaging in a heated post-match discussion with ex- City star Micah Richards. The pair were discussing United's approach and decision to not employ Cristiano Ronaldo at all during the game, despite him being the club's top scorer last season.

Here is the full transcript of the on-air clash between the duo, with studio host Kelly Cates trying to act as referee.

ALSO READ: Ten Hag explains decision to not bring Ronaldo on against City

Micah Richards : "Does his (Erik ten Hag's) style of play suit how they want to go?"

Roy Keane : "Oh, ah here we go. Here we go, here we go."

MR : "No, you come to the Etihad and you know Man City are going to have the majority of the ball."

RK : "They got hammered anyway! We're talking about pressing? It's the new buzz word in football, pressing. I don’t care about pressing if he’s getting me 20, 25 goals last season for Man United. I don’t think he was doing too much pressing then. Man United have lost three times already this season."

Kelly Cates : "The rest of the teams numbers were down though, overall. Which maybe speaks to Micah’s point that Ronaldo’s numbers were great but the rest of the team perhaps you could argue, would suffer."

RK : "Well that’s their fault. Well that’s their fault, not Ronaldo’s. I never had a problem playing with a striker who scored 20, 25 goals - ever. I don’t care if they never got back or they never got hold of it. We just got to Aston Villa, who’d had a torturous afternoon because they couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net. But we’re criticising Ronaldo because the only thing he does is score goals."

MR : "But there’s more to the game than that. I’m agreeing with you on Ronaldo. I said Ronaldo should last season he should be playing. I'm agreeing with you. But I’m saying the manager who wants to set up now, coming to the Etihad on the counter-attack, was it right?"

RK : "They were 4-0 down at half-time. So obviously not."

MR : "You know Man City are going to outpass you, outwork you."

RK : "With or without Ronaldo."

MR : "The manager probably thought before the game…"

RK : "Well he was wrong."

MR : "I’m going to play with high-intensity players."

RK : "Well he was wrong."

MR : "It didn’t work - I agree with you. But the results that Man United have been getting against Liverpool, Arsenal, sitting in, counter-attacking and he’s played people who are going to press high and with intensity."

RK : "Manchester United have never pressed high, is this a new buzz-word?"

MR : "I’m not saying it’s a new word...."

RK : "You don't have to press."

MR : "I'm saying this season, playing that game on the counter-attack, pressing, people with urgency."

RK : "Who was the leading goalscorer for Manchester United last season?"

MR : "Ronaldo!"

RK : "Alright, brilliant."

READ MORE:

  • All the United news and views
  • City player ratings and Foden and Haaland destroy rivals
  • What United fans did at half-time in City loss
  • Ten Hag pays the price for selection decision at City
  • All the latest City news
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