United given ‘hairdryer’ treatment by Moyes after derby drubbing

Manager backs players to recover quickly following 4-1 defeat against City.

MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager David Moyes said he upbraided his players after their crushing 4-1 derby defeat at Manchester City and called for an immediate improvement in their performances.

The Scot had a torrid experience in his first Manchester derby, as a Sergio Aguero brace and goals from Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri gave City a victory reminiscent of their seismic 6-1 win at Old Trafford in 2011.

It was United’s second defeat of the season, leaving them five points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal in eighth place, and Moyes admitted that he had vented his spleen at the final whistle.



Asked if he expected a reaction in the changing room, on the training ground or in the next match, Moyes replied: “All of them, and I’ve made them aware of that as well. But I think if there was ever a group of players who I would expect that from, it would be from Manchester United players.

“The way they’re been brought up, the previous manager [Alex Ferguson]. They react, and that’s what we’ll do here. Every manager has bad days and bad results, and I’m no different.”

However, the Scot sought solace in the performance of Wayne Rooney, who scored with a fine late free-kick to become the outright leading scorer in the history of the Manchester derby with 11 goals.

“Obviously we missed Robin van Persie, it’s a huge miss to anybody,” said Moyes. “But I thought Rooney could have arguably been the best player on the pitch. He certainly didn’t deserve to play on the losing team, that was for sure.”

Meanwhile, City manager Manuel Pellegrini will have far happier memories of his first Manchester derby, having seen his side climb to third place in the table with a brilliantly assured performance.

Asked if City had struck a big psychological blow against their cross-town rivals, he replied: “Very big. Winning against Manchester United and the way we win, is always an important impact.”

Villas-Boas glad Spurs effort gets reward

Andre Villas-Boas was delighted with the persistence and quality shown by Tottenham in their 1-0 win away to Cardiff City.

Their success in the Welsh capital, secured by Paulinho’s stoppage-time winner, left Tottenham level on points with Premier League leaders Arsenal but behind their arch north London rivals on goal difference.

“There could only be one winner,” said Villas-Boas. “We played so open and tried so hard, that it would have been unfair to have left here with only one point. We got our reward in the end, but with the chances we created, it could have been a more comfortable game.”

“Yes, it’s satisfying as I don’t see many teams coming here and winning against a team who are well-organised and well-managed. And yes, you do worry when you can’t score. I thought it might be one of those games.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2013.

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