Marcus Rashford looks like a "lean, fighting machine" according to former Manchester United captain Roy Keane.

The England international maintained his excellent form by giving United the lead in their EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Rashford has scored 18 goals for the Red Devils this season, with only Manchester City's Erling Haaland (31) recording more for a Premier League club.

"We were pitch-side when the players came out and he looked lean. You wouldn't want to be up against him – all the best," Keane said to Sky Sports.

"He looks like a lean, fighting machine."

The 25-year-old has thrived under Erik ten Hag, showing an immense improvement on his five goals in 32 games (18 starts) from last season.

"Sometimes it's about confidence – there is where he's peaking now. He's played a lot of games for United and big games for England in the last few years," Keane added.

"Sometimes the penny drops for a player in terms of decision-making and putting the ball in the back of the net. And they've needed him.

"The question mark I've had over Marcus in the last few years is, has he got that personality to step up to the plate?

"United have had some great strikers over the years, and I think they need someone like that. Marcus has to say he wants that responsibility to be the main man. The best players turn up week in and week out. It looks like he's now enjoying that responsibility, which is great to see."

It was put to Keane that Rashford has thrived since the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo, having scored 10 goals in 10 games in all competitions since end of the 2022 World Cup, the most of any player for clubs in Europe's big-five leagues in that time.

"When a player leaves the club the responsibility goes onto another player," Keane replied.

"He's 25, not a child, sometimes when the timing is right you can be ready for that. He doesn't get the niggly injuries anymore with his groin, he seems to have cleared it up. He looks in a great place mentally, too, which is huge. He said he reckons he took too much on away from football – and being a top footballer is hard enough.

"So putting the other stuff on the back burner and focusing on being a top player for Manchester United has seen him get his priorities right."

Marcus Rashford can be "unstoppable" when Manchester United play to his strengths, believes Erik ten Hag, and former captain Roy Keane was not surprised to see him deliver against Everton on Friday.

Rashford was the star of the show in a 3-1 win that sent United through to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The England forward created the opener for Antony at Old Trafford, then showed sublime skill to force Conor Coady into an own goal that cancelled out the Everton defender's prior equaliser.

Rashford got the third goal himself, dispatching a stoppage-time penalty at the end of a display manager Ten Hag described as "90 minutes of threat".

Keane, in his role as an ITV pundit, said: "The beauty of watching Marcus tonight was this is what I expect of him now. I'm not surprised by what I've seen.

"He's becoming hopefully one of the main players for United; can he get them back to winning trophies? He's taking responsibility.

"Tonight, with two assists and a goal, I'm thinking I expect this now from Marcus every week. He's obviously playing with a confidence."

Confidence is undoubtedly key for a player who has scored in five straight matches and seven in a row at Old Trafford, but Ten Hag also highlighted the importance of his team-mates.

"It's about bringing him in the right position," he said in a news conference. "He has to do it, but make sure as a team we create spaces, so he is coming [with] his strengths.

"That is Marcus doing really well, but also the team is doing very well to get the right shape.

"So, he can bring his strengths in, and I think then he is unstoppable, with his speed, with his dribbles, with his directness."

Ten Hag, like Keane, is confident Rashford can maintain those high standards moving forward as United retain an interest on four fronts this season.

"Of course, as a striker, you measure goals [and] assists," Ten Hag added. "Today he had two assists and one goal, so it's great.

"He has fantastic skills, and when he has that mental stability, he can keep going.

"That demands a lot, first from him, also from us as a team, an organisation, to make sure we have the right environment, the right culture. When he keeps focused like this, I'm sure he can keep this process going."

Dejan Lovren does not "see any disrespect" in Brazil's dancing goal celebrations as his Croatia team prepare to face off against the World Cup favourites in a huge quarter-final clash.

Brazil reached the last eight with an emphatic 4-1 thumping of South Korea in the round of 16 on Monday, garnering praise for their impressive attacking display.

However, Brazil's dancing celebrations after their goals were criticised by some, with pundit and former Manchester United captain Roy Keane saying Brazil were "disrespecting the opposition" with their behaviour.

Lovren disagrees with Keane though, and sees no ill intention with Brazil's post-goal antics, telling reporters: "Dancing after a goal? They can do whatever they want.

"I don't see any disrespect in that. Everything has its limit, but I know how Brazilians breathe and I don't see anything negative in that."

Croatia made it all the way to final at the 2018 World Cup, and they kept their hopes alive of repeating those heroics with a tense victory on penalties over tournament surprises Japan.

Zlatko Dalic's men found themselves behind at half-time, but Ivan Perisic nodded home an equaliser before Dominik Livakovic saved three penalties in the shoot-out to secure Croatia's place in the last eight.

While Lovren acknowledged the difficulty of Friday's match with Brazil, the former Liverpool defender feels his team will give a good account of themselves.

"Brazil is the favourite," Lovren added. "They have fantastic players and they are definitely the favourites. We have no problem with that.

"We appreciate everyone and respect everyone and we will prove it on the field."

Midfielder Mateo Kovacic cited Croatia's 1-0 Nations League victory over reigning world champions France in June as a blueprint for how they must perform against Brazil.

"The match against France in the Nations League was good from our side," the Chelsea midfielder explained.

"We were good, showed confidence in possession, we have to do it again on Friday. We must not struggle with possession and an early goal would help us a lot. 

"Brazil is a top team, it is easy to say that the game needs to be repeated, but it is certainly the way to play."

Croatia have conceded just two goals at the tournament so far, with Lovren forming a solid partnership at the back with 20-year-old Josko Gvardiol.

Gvardiol's imposing performances have attracted interest from Europe's elite clubs, and Lovren understands why, declaring: "He has great quality, he's way ahead of me at 20-years-old.

"It's no wonder every club in the world is interested in his services."

Gary Neville believes England simply must give Phil Foden a chance to light up the Qatar World Cup after the Manchester City man played no part against the United States.

According to former England defender Neville, powerhouses such as Brazil would give Foden more of a chance on the big stage than England are allowing him.

Foden watched on as Gareth Southgate's men laboured to a 0-0 draw at the Al Bayt Stadium, delivering a largely turgid performance that was far removed from the opening 6-2 win over Iran.

The American opposition were more threatening for large parts of the game than much-fancied England, and substitutes Jack Grealish, Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford did little to change that.

Foden, a favourite of Pep Guardiola at City, made an appearance off the bench in the Iran game, but Southgate elected to keep him off the field this time, even with England lacking attacking spark that he might have provided.

Speaking on ITV, Neville said: "I was disappointed not to see Foden. For me, that talent is huge. I've not seen anything like that. I know we've got [Jude] Bellingham, we've got Grealish, we've got others.

"Gareth prefers [Mason] Mount, he prefers [Bukayo] Saka, he prefers [Raheem] Sterling at the moment, but for me for Foden not to be in amongst that in a starting XI, and to not come off the bench was interesting.

"I'm torn a little bit because I've got huge respect for Gareth and what he's achieved. He's achieved more than any [England] manager since Sir Alf Ramsey, but we've got a couple of talents there on the bench in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Foden. In terms of opening up a game, Trent Alexander-Arnold's got some of the best deliveries you'll ever see from a full-back.

"Those two not coming off the bench was a little bit disappointing in the sense that if you're going to try to win the game, they're world-class talents.

"Other nations – Spain, Brazil, France – probably would have Trent Alexander-Arnold and Foden in the starting XI, and I understand it a little bit having watched Trent Alexander-Arnold defend, but when you see a game like that where we lack creativity and where we can't really create any chances, you think, those two players, really should they be in there?"

Neville said England's overall display was "poor", and rated the USA midfield performance higher than England's effort in that area.

His former Manchester United team-mate Roy Keane agreed Foden should have played a part and was blunt about England's dour display.

Keane, a former Republic of Ireland midfield general, said: "We were all stood watching the game saying 'Foden'.

"You fully expected Foden to come on with the options, and the subs that did come on didn't really have an impact

"I know they did well the other day, but England did look leggy, they looked one-paced, they looked short of ideas. Even set-pieces, you never felt they had a goal in their locker from that. So actually it was a terrible performance."

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has slammed Cristiano Ronaldo for his behaviour this season and questioned why other former team-mates are defending him.

Ronaldo was left out of the United squad for a 1-1 draw against Chelsea in October after refusing to come on as a substitute in the previous game against Tottenham, where he also left the dugout before the final whistle.

The veteran forward has since returned to the side, captaining United in their most recent Premier League match at Aston Villa.

But speculation around Ronaldo's future persists after he pushed for a move away from Old Trafford ahead of the season, and Rooney warns he will be an "unwanted distraction" if he does not change his attitude.

"I don't think they're a better team with him in the side. I just think the things he has done since the start of the season are not acceptable for Manchester United," Rooney told talkSPORT.

"We've seen Roy Keane defending him, Roy wouldn't have accepted that at all. It's a distraction that Manchester United don't need at the minute, it's time to rebuild.

"Cristiano needs to get his head down and work, be ready to play when the manager needs him. If he does that, he'll be an asset. If he doesn't, I think it will be an unwanted distraction."

Ronaldo and Rooney arrived at United in consecutive years in 2003 and 2004 as two of the most exciting young players in world football.

And Rooney now wants to see United pursue a 2023 equivalent in the form of Jude Bellingham, who he was immediately impressed by when facing the Borussia Dortmund midfielder during his time at Birmingham City.

"I played against Bellingham when he was at Birmingham and I was at Derby, he actually man-marked me during that game," Rooney said. "I think he was about 16, maybe just 17, and what I really liked about him is every time I passed the ball off, he'd leave a stud in on me.

"And I remember thinking that he's got something about him, just to show the character to go out to Germany and take that league by storm.

"That mentality to perform, obviously he's been captain in quite a few of the games as well, he's going to be a huge player for England. Even though he's young, he can put some of that character into some of the rest of the squad.

"I hope Manchester United are targeting him. I hope he doesn't go to Liverpool or Manchester City. I'm sure they're doing their work, he's probably the hottest youngster in world football at the minute.

"I'm sure United are looking at that as well, I know they tried to get him a couple of years ago. He's a player that United could really do with at the moment."

Manchester United are a better side without Cristiano Ronaldo and need to offload the forward at the earliest possible opportunity, according to Gary Neville.

Ronaldo was left out of the squad for Saturday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea after refusing to come on as a substitute and heading for the tunnel early in the 2-0 win over Tottenham.

Despite finishing as United's top scorer last season, the Portugal international has started just two of United's 11 Premier League matches under Erik ten Hag this term.

United have shown encouraging signs in the absence of Ronaldo, and former team-mate Neville believes the time is right for the player and the club to mutually part ways.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is going to have to go somewhere else and play every week because he can't accept being on the bench," Neville told Sky Sports. 

"That's fine, but end it this week or create a truce to get to the World Cup and then end it. It has to end."

United have failed to win or indeed score in both league matches Ronaldo has started this season, losing 4-0 at Brentford and drawing 0-0 with Newcastle United.

That compares to six wins in the nine league games Ronaldo has not started, with United scoring 16 times at an average of 1.8 per game.

"There aren't many Manchester United fans who would now have Ronaldo in their starting eleven," added Neville, who spent two decades on United's books.

"They are better without him – they score more goals without him and they win more points without him. Manchester United are a better team without him.

"For me, Erik ten Hag had no other option. That's the second time Ronaldo has left Old Trafford before his team-mates have got into the changing room. That is unacceptable.

"When you look at whether Ronaldo should be selected, as great a player as he's been, Manchester United are better without him.

"Erik ten Hag knows that, so I think the only thing the club and Ronaldo can do is get together in this next week or so and end the relationship. 

"Cristiano is too good a player, too fantastic a character and the club have got to move on.

"Ronaldo can't accept not being the star man in Manchester United's team so he's going to have to leave – that's it."

Ronaldo has been directly involved in three goals this season (two goals and one assist), a tally bettered only by Jadon Sancho (4), Anthony Martial (5) and Marcus Rashford (8).

He has played 691 minutes, which is only the 12th most of all United players, but another former United favourite in Roy Keane insists Ronaldo is being unfairly treated. 

"I'm trying to see this from the player's point of view – he's obviously had enough," Keane said. "He lost his head [against Spurs]. That's been brewing over the last few weeks.

"I'm going to try and defend him. He's a human being and has got flaws, feeling frustrated that he's not getting opportunities and he's had enough. 

"He walked down the tunnel but players have done worse things at Manchester United – it happens, it's human nature.

"Everyone was saying after the Spurs game it was United's best performance in years. Absolute rubbish. Spurs were terrible. 

"Ronaldo got a hat-trick when United beat Spurs last season at home, so he's more than capable of getting on the pitch and making a difference."

Manchester United players "should be embarrassed" after their 6-3 defeat to local rivals Manchester City, says former Red Devils midfielder Roy Keane.

First-half doubles from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden had United four goals down at half-time, before they both capped off their hat-tricks after the interval as United conceded six in a Premier League game for just the fourth time.

And despite a late double from substitute Anthony Martial and a superb strike from Antony in consolation, Keane was fuming with United's performance after Sunday's match.

"It was the way they started - they were slow out of the blocks. City sent a message that they were up for it, and the first goal is huge," Keane told Sky Sports.

"United went down after eight minutes and they never recovered.

"There were spaces everywhere, they were sloppy in possession. Marcus Rashford never got hold of it, the wide players gave it away.

"Every time Man City went forward, they looked like they were going to score. It's a pleasure to watch City. They're one of the best teams I've seen live but for United this is a huge setback.

"There's nothing for United to take out from this game. The players should be embarrassed. You can't go into half-time 4-0 down in a derby game.

"It's hugely embarrassing, as brilliant as City were, United were desperate, particularly in midfield. They were overran in midfield and defensively they were all over the shop.

"Again we look at leadership - there was nothing there from Man United."

After a Europa League game away to Omonia Nicosia on Thursday, United return to Premier League action at Everton on October 9.

Former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic believes criticism of Harry Maguire has been over the top, likening it to a "disaster".

United made Maguire the most expensive defender of all time when they signed him from Leicester City in 2019 and he quickly established himself as a key player, even becoming captain.

But after a fairly promising first couple of years, Maguire's popularity among supporters has decreased significantly, with the England centre-back's performances routinely questioned last season.

The situation turned particularly ugly in April when Maguire received a bomb threat to his home.

Maguire was dropped by new manager Erik ten Hag after United lost their first two matches of the new Premier League season, but Matic – now at Roma – feels his former colleague has been treated dreadfully by the average fan on social media, suggesting the criticism comes from a place of jealousy.

"What people are doing to him, it is a disaster," Matic told The Times.

"Everything has to have limits and some of these people writing on social media, they don't have their own lives so they just have to write bad things about someone else."

Individual criticism of Maguire over the past year or so has also come against a backdrop of flak aimed at the United team in general, as they slumped to a sixth-placed finish last season with their worst points total (58) in the Premier League era.

Former United captain Roy Keane is among the most vocal television pundits when it comes to analysis of the Red Devils, and he also went on something of a rant about Matic towards the end of his time at Old Trafford.

Shortly after Matic confirmed he was to leave United, Keane took umbrage with the Serbian making such a decision before the end of the season and saying former club Chelsea also still had a place in his heart.

Matic provided a measured response, saying: "I have respect for what he has done but he needs to understand that football has changed.

"If I played for Chelsea, I cannot say I hate them. I cannot be angry when I'm talking to the press after the game.

"The way he behaved on pitch, 70 per cent of it is a red card today. You cannot throw a punch when all the cameras in the world are there.

"The real hero is when you go out on the street and say something, but he was always very nice with me, so what he says in public, to be honest, I don't really care.

"I know what I've done in my career and I'm very happy."

Antony expects his Manchester United debut to be an omen of things to come after scoring in Sunday's 3-1 win over Arsenal.

The former Ajax winger, recruited for an initial £81.3million (€95m) in a deal that was sealed on Thursday, became the 100th Brazilian to play in the Premier League.

He started and played for almost an hour before being replaced by Cristiano Ronaldo, marking his first appearance for the Red Devils with a sharp finish in the 35th minute.

Arsenal equalised moments after his departure through Bukayo Saka, but Marcus Rashford scored twice to ensure Antony's United bow was a successful one.

At the age of 22 years and 192 days, Antony became the youngest Brazilian to score on his Premier League debut.

Acknowledging the success of his Old Trafford bow, he wrote on Twitter: "What an incredible day! A huge thanks to all MU staff and my teammates!! I'll never forget this day!

"To United fans, all my affection for this reception! Let's go for more! That's just the beginning!"

The deal for Antony may ultimately cost United £86million (€100m), but it will be money well spent if he turns up big performances against rivals such as Arsenal, whose early lead at the Premier League summit has been trimmed to one point after the sixth round of games.

Former United captain Roy Keane believes Erik ten Hag has worked wonders to turn around a team who lost 2-1 to Brighton and Hove Albion and 4-0 to Brentford in their opening two games of the season.

This United team are only the third side in Premier League history to win four in a row after losing their opening two games in a season, after Tottenham in 2011-12 and Arsenal in 2018-19.

Manager Ten Hag arrived from Ajax, and by bringing Antony with him as a player he knows well, there is a strong likelihood the move will succeed.

"He's got a group of players he's happy with and can work with," Keane said on Sky Sports.

"He's obviously been backed in the transfer market, which helps, and he knows some of the personalities he's brought in.

"I just think there's a bit of a character building with this team, there's personalities in this team. The place was bouncing, and the feelgood factor is definitely back at the club."

The increasing violence amid pitch invasions in English football is of great concern to Gary Neville and Roy Keane, who called the culprits "idiots, scumbags" and a "disgrace".

City won the Premier League – their fourth title in the last five campaigns under Pep Guardiola – in dramatic fashion on the final day of the season on Sunday, coming from 2-0 down to beat Aston Villa 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium.

However, as has been the case at several grounds across the country in recent weeks, City's win sparked scenes of fans charging onto the pitch at full-time.

While the majority of the supporters celebrated peacefully, some fans were seen to have approached Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen, who had to be escorted off the pitch by stewards.

Steven Gerrard subsequently confirmed that his goalkeeper had been "attacked" while City released a statement apologising to Villa and Olsen, promising a full investigation.

The incident follows on from a Nottingham Forest fan having been jailed for assaulting Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp at the end of a Championship play-off semi-final, while lower down the pyramid, Port Vale fans were involved in an altercation with Swindon Town players.

On Thursday, Everton supporters ran onto the pitch to celebrate a 3-2 comeback win over Crystal Palace that secured their Premier League status.

One fan appeared to aggravate Palace boss Patrick Vieira, who seemingly lashed out at the supporter.

It is a situation that former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville is extremely worried by.

"This brilliant last 20 years, or 30 years, where we've brought the fences down in English football and the fans are respected and 99 times out of 100 they don't run onto the pitch because they enjoy the family environment, far more children coming to the game, far more women coming to the game," Neville said on Sky Sports.

"All of a sudden in this last few weeks, months, not just running on the pitch, which is a problem, but if you're attacking managers and players – what are you doing?

"Running on the pitch, they've won the league, they're delirious, I get that, but attacking the opposition players on the pitch – where has this come from, why is happening?

"I've got no idea, it's absolutely ridiculous."

It was a sentiment echoed by Neville's former Manchested United team-mate Keane, who is concerned by what may come next.

He said: "A player or a manager is going to be seriously injured. If you're mad enough to punch a player you're going to be mad enough to do something stupid like stab a player.

"I think people have come back after COVID and forgot how to behave themselves. Idiots, scumbags, disgrace. Absolutely disgraceful."

Manchester United have "bigger problems" than Cristiano Ronaldo and there is "no logic" in selling the superstar forward, says Red Devils legend Roy Keane.

Ronaldo was named man of the match as United secured a 3-0 win over Brentford in their final home match of the Premier League season on Monday.

The Portugal great scored a second-half penalty at Old Trafford to take his Premier League account for the campaign to 18 – a tally bettered by only Mohamed Salah (23) and Son Heung-min (19).

Despite his excellent return in front of goal since rejoining the club from Juventus, many doubted whether Ronaldo could fit the high-pressing style preferred by interim boss Ralf Rangnick and if he would suit the methods of incoming boss Erik ten Hag.

Throw in the fact Ronaldo is now 37, there is a school of thought among some pundits that United should look to move on their star man and bring in younger forwards.

Former United captain Keane does not subscribe to such a notion, though, suggesting instead the club need to invest in other strikers to complement him.

Speaking on Monday Night Football for Sky Sports, Keane said: "It [Ronaldo's signing] was a short-term fix, for the fans, for the share price. But he has still scored the goals.

"Manchester United have bigger problems than Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I just think with the goals that he has got, his performances, warrants staying at the club. But Manchester United have to get players around him, they have to get other strikers in, there has to be competition for places.

"If the leading goalscorer, the man you are depending on, is 37 years of age then that is certainly not good but I would certainly be holding onto Ronaldo.

"There might be a conversation that needs to be had about the way you are going to play or that you are not going to be playing week in and week out. But why would you get rid of a player who scores that many goals? I don't see the logic in it."

However, Keane did accept Ronaldo must be more "mature" when it comes to acknowledging his advancing years means he will not always be a regular starter.

"I think a top manager will come in and have that conversation with him and cut that rubbish out, like at Brentford when he is shaking his head 15 minutes after coming off. That is where Ronaldo has to be more mature and be a better leader," Keane added.

"Of course you are disappointed when you come off but don't keep it up for one or two days, that is where you have to sort that maturity out.

"Even Ronaldo has to look at the bigger picture.

"And when you do have that conversation as a top manager, make it plain to him that won't be tolerated, if he is not buying into that then you do say, 'No, you're not going to be part of my plans'.

"If he is thinking he has to play every minute of every game, that is rubbish at his age anyway."

Ronaldo's team-mate Marcus Rashford is another whose long-term future at Old Trafford is shrouded in doubt.

The England forward has just four Premier League goals to his name this term and has never registered fewer than five in a campaign.

With United all but certain to miss out on Champions League football next season, there are rumours Rashford may be among those to be shipped out of Old Trafford ahead of what is likely to be a major rebuild under Ten Hag.

Having been left out in favour of Anthony Elanga and Juan Mata against Brentford, Keane questioned if Rashford still has the "hunger" to succeed at Old Trafford.

"Whether it's short on confidence, we've seen his quality before but we've not seen it for a year or two," said Keane.

"I think he's taken his eye off the ball, whatever [it is] with his off-the-field stuff. Rashford has been around for a few years now, he's got that experience and played international football.

"But it doesn't look like he's matured enough. We've seen a few games recently, when he was playing at Liverpool through the middle, I said he was playing like a child.

"It's as if he's not learnt about the game. He's drifting. He's lost the hunger. These young players get a lot of money and good luck to them, but I think he's lost the eye of the tiger and he's struggling to get it back.

"Wherever Man United want to go, Marcus is being left behind. He's left out again tonight and he must be sitting on the bench going 'where has it all gone wrong for me?'. He can get it back, he's shown it before, but sometimes when you do lose it, it is hard to get it back.

"He's got to get the hunger back into his game and make the runs like we've seen tonight from Elanga. Rashford has lost that bit of hunger, which is huge for a player. He is a talent but we're not seeing it."

Cristiano Ronaldo is a "phenomenon" who will have a big part to play at Manchester United under incoming head coach Erik ten Hag, according to Gary Neville.

Portugal international Ronaldo struck his 17th Premier League goal of the campaign – and 23rd in all competitions – in United's 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Thursday.

Despite now being 37 years of age, Ronaldo is level with Son Heung-min and behind only Mohamed Salah (22) in the Premier League scoring charts this term.

Indeed, only nine other players from Europe's top five leagues have scored more goals in all competitions in 2021-22 than Ronaldo.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner's place in the side has been questioned at times this season, but Neville insists he is too good a player to overlook – no matter who is in charge.

"He lifts the fans, he gets them on the edge of their seats, takes his chances, and it'll be really interesting to see what happens with Erik Ten Hag," Neville told Sky Sports.

"We know he plays with an aggressive press, he tries to win the ball high up the pitch, that isn't Cristiano's strong point and we know that. But he will want a goalscorer. 

"He will want someone who can put the ball in the back of the net 20 or 25 times. Can United use him as a bridge next season to get them through Erik Ten Hag's first season? 

"Ronaldo is a phenomenon. He's achieved everything and more in the game, his professionalism is beyond anything you could ever wish for, really.

"He still continues – his persistence, his determination to score goals is absolutely incredible. You can't speak highly enough of him. 

"His goal [against Chelsea] was wonderful and he doesn't really lose that belief in himself when the rest of the team is really lacking in confidence – his is still there."

Ronaldo has scored eight of his side's last nine goals, with his strikes across the season worth 14 Premier League points to United, who are languishing down in fifth.

Ralf Rangnick will be replaced by Ajax boss Ten Hag ahead of next season and ex-United midfielder Roy Keane also expects Ronaldo to play a part under the Dutchman.

"I know people are quick to criticise what [Ronaldo] doesn't do, in terms of his pressing, but he was never great at that anyway," Keane said.

"He's the greatest at the hardest part of the game – putting the ball in the back of the net.

"Ten Hag will be having a sleepless night watching the team, but if you've got a player in the group who can score that amount of goals, they have to be involved. 

"He'll want to play week-in, week-out, the new manager will come in and will be looking for another striker but Ronaldo's not hanging around unless he's playing."

Jamie Carragher hailed Liverpool’s "mentality" after they twice fought back to seal a 2-2 draw with Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday.

The Reds remain just a point behind Pep Guardiola's side with seven games remaining after Sadio Mane's goal early in the second half.

Diogo Jota had earlier cancelled out Kevin de Bruyne's deflected opener, before Gabriel Jesus restored City's advantage.

Mane's fine strike meant City had scored the first goal and not gone on to win in the Premier League this season for the first time this season, the reigning champions having done so in all 22 games when scoring first prior to the visit of Jurgen Klopp's men.

Carragher, who made 737 appearances for Liverpool between 1996 and 2013, was impressed with his former's side ability to dig in for a draw after being blown away by City in the first half.

"From Liverpool's point of view, the mentality to come out in the second half and turn it around after that first-half display was impressive," he said on Sky Sports.

"It looked like they didn't have any energy in the first half, but their mindset changed. I don't think they did anything particularly different. They still played a high line.

"Considering how good City were in the first half, to then come out and give that performance and match them – maybe be even better than them for the first 30 minutes in the second half – was so impressive."

The result meant Liverpool are now winless in five Premier League matches against City (D3 L2), which is their joint-longest run without a victory against them along with a five-game run between November 2011 and December 2013.

Despite that, former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane said Klopp's men deserve plenty of credit for their performance. 

"We saw today the different qualities, City outstanding first half and Liverpool showed their quality second half," he said. "All the talk was it would not be decided today [the title] but they played like it was going to be. It was like a final. I think a draw was a fair result.

"What impressed me with all these top-quality players was their desire to keep going for their win at the end. No team was going to dominate for long spells as there is so much quality on both sides.

"Liverpool showed their character in the second half. But then City had great chances as well. A great reminder to us all of what this game is about."

Roy Keane has taken aim at England manager Gareth Southgate, accusing him of "picking and choosing" when to support his players after Harry Maguire was booed by his own fans at Wembley on Tuesday.

Southgate came out in staunch defence of the centre-back, labelling the reaction from home supporters during the Three Lions' 3-0 friendly win against Ivory Coast as "an absolute joke".

However, Keane believes the former Middlesbrough boss made it "a bigger story than it is", and questioned why he had not offered the same support to other players in the past.

Speaking during ITV's post-match coverage of the game, the former Manchester United captain said: "Every player gets booed. There is going to be idiots at football matches – England have a lot of idiots.

"Gareth could have easily said tonight 'it is no big deal'. He actually played well tonight, just focus on that.

"He is almost picking and choosing when to support his players. [Raheem] Sterling had a bust-up two or three years ago and was bombed out of the squad. He's left other players out.

"I remember when [Maguire] was sent off last year against Denmark and [Southgate] didn't really support him when he was walking off the pitch.

"I think he has made it a bigger story than it is. Just get on with the game.

"He played well and he will get fans back on side with his performances, not by people reacting to a few boos or social media. Be big enough and man enough to get on with the game."

Maguire posted a message on Twitter on Wednesday morning simply saying "Enjoyable week playing for my country."

The United defender has had public support from a number of England team-mates since the game, with Jack Grealish, Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane among those who have criticised the fan reaction.

Manchester United great Roy Keane hailed Cristiano Ronaldo's superb display after the 37-year-old's hat-trick downed Tottenham at Old Trafford.

United were twice pegged back by their rivals for the top four during an absorbing contest, but Ronaldo's 81st-minute header sealed just his second treble in United colours and a crucial 3-2 win for the hosts.

The Portugal legend has now scored in each of his past seven appearances against Tottenham in all competitions, and his 14 goals against Spurs represent his highest tally against any English club.

Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, former United captain Keane labelled the striker a "genius" and said Ralf Rangnick's team needed to keep their talisman beyond the end of this season.

"Ronaldo looked angry today, he played with a lot of aggression," Keane said. "He's obviously upset with whatever happened last week [missing United's 4-1 loss to Manchester City], but he showed today what we have seen over the years. 

"The guy's a genius, his three goals were fantastic. He brings so much to the team, why people think he cannot bring goals or value...

"For as great as he is, the next challenge for Ronaldo is to make this United team compete again for league titles. 

"Ronaldo is a huge part of the rebuilding of the club. When he's producing like that, you need Ronaldo in your team. 

"Ronaldo has been doing this throughout his career, he's been doing it for years. I think he can do it for another season."

One-time Old Trafford team-mate Gary Neville called Ronaldo's performance "magical", but he did not hold back in his criticism of United's "awful" defensive performance, having now conceded 40 times in the Premier League this season.

"Manchester United are not very good, I have to say," Neville said. "But there are moments in the game that are magical.

"The fans are buzzing because they've seen Ronaldo, they feel like they've seen something special.

"But in terms of the performance, if Spurs get a late winner, United fans are going home and saying how bad we are today. It wasn't a great performance.

"Manchester United's biggest problem is not Cristiano Ronaldo. Their defending is awful. Every team that comes here creates bags of chances."