Dimitar Berbatov has echoed Roy Keane's criticism of Manchester United last month, by saying United fans shouldn't have been hugging their Manchester City rivals.
United's 0-0 draw in the Premier League last month was followed by criticism from the club's former captain Keane, who wasn't happy with Harry Maguire embracing John Stones at full time.
Advert
"We've got two bookings in a derby game, I've never seen so many hugs and chats after the game. It's a derby game!" the former United captain vented.
"...At the end of the game, the staff, smiling, hugging, the players chatting with each other, just get down the tunnel! Cut that. I don't get it."
The Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night was twice as feisty as the yellow card count doubled to four, with each Manchester side picking up two bookings.
Advert
City won the game pretty easily 2-0, with United not really worrying Pep Guardiola's side's goal, especially late in the game.
Berbatov has backed up Keane's claim that his former side is too nice. "Sometimes when you have these derbies in important matches, it's not about momentum or form," the former striker told Betfair.
"It's about how much you want it, how smart and cunning the players are, if necessary use some dirty tricks, do whatever it takes to win. Sometimes you need to be like this and, like Jose Mourinho said, you need to be b******* to win trophies. I don't see enough of that from United in these big matches.
"Roy Keane spoke about how shocked he was too see players hugging each other after the last Manchester derby. I agree with him. What the f***, this is a derby go out there and win.
Advert
"They're missing someone who is dirty in the team, someone who can show the aggression that would give them an edge. United are too nice at times."
After losing last year's semi final to City, the FA Cup semi to Chelsea and the Europa League last four game to Sevilla, it's now four attempts at reaching a final that Solskjaer has failed to make count.
Berbatov, who won the League Cup with both United and Spurs, doesn't think it's good enough and was hoping his two former sides would meet. "Manchester United's Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City was disappointing. United missed out on a great opportunity to go to a final at Wembley. I was hoping to see a final between Spurs and United but it wasn't to be and I'm sorry about that.
"...It's now four semi-finals in a row that United have failed to win and this is a bad habit that they need to break. Four times in a row is too many to be just a coincidence.
Advert
"Sometimes the pressure and the high expectations can get to players when they need to take that step to reach a final. United need to evaluate what is going on in these important matches and try to correct it. Winning a trophy is a big step in the right direction and unfortunately they have missed out on another."
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Manchester City, Football News, Carabao Cup, Manchester United, Dimitar Berbatov, Premier League, Roy Keane
