- Man United slumped to an 18th league defeat of the season at Stamford Bridge
- Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, however, praised Man United’s display in the loss
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Former Man United captain Roy Keane has claimed Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca patronised the Red Devils by praising their performance in a 1-0 defeat by his side on Friday night.
The Blues earned a 1-0 win to boost their hopes of securing Champions League football next season, with Marc Cucurella scoring the only goal with a header in the second half.
Man United’s latest defeat, their 18th in the Premier League this season, keeps them 16th in the table.
Chelsea boss Maresca, however, claimed their opponents had played well when assessing their victory.
‘I know how difficult it is to play against Man Utd,’ Maresca said post match.
‘We expected a tough game, congratulations to them because they played very well.’
Man United slumped to an 18th league defeat of the season with a 1-0 loss at Chelsea
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, however, congratulated the Red Devils on their performance
Roy Keane claimed the Chelsea boss was patronising Man United with his praise for the display
Keane, who who seven Premier League titles and the Champions League with Man United, claimed the Chelsea boss was ‘patting them on the head’.
The Sky Sports pundit claimed there was also a growing acceptance among Man United’s own supporters over their side’s failings, suggesting few would have expected them to win at Stamford Bridge.
‘The fans here tonight, I don’t think they are angry anymore, there is an acceptance,’ Keane said.
‘Even the manager [Amorim] is interviewed and he is accepting where they are.
‘You have to be realistic, but show a bit of emotion and anger.
‘I think Man United fans will be going back to Manchester tonight thinking “that’s probably what we thought would happen”.
‘I didn’t [think they would win, I don’t think the manager did and, most importantly, I don’t think the players believed they could come and win tonight.
‘Even the Chelsea manager is patronising them by saying “they played well, they pressed us, they were dangerous”, they beat them 1-0 and United had one shot on target.
Keane claimed Man United fans have grown to accept their struggles under Ruben Amorim
‘What they are doing is patting them on the head going “off you go back up to Manchester”, that’s what Man United used to do to teams years ago.’
Despite a dismal domestic campaign Man United could yet secure silverware and a place in the Champions League next season.
Man United face Tottenham in the Europa League final on Wednesday, with the showpiece remarkably between two sides in 16th and 17th in the Premier League.
The winner would earn a spot in Europe’s elite club competition next season, with the loser facing a crushing blow at the end of a dismal campaign.
