Scott McTominay Directly Responds To Accusations That Players "Gave Up" In Manchester City Game

Scott McTominay was "incredibly disappointed" by suggestions that Manchester United players 'gave up' in the second-half of their disappointing defeat to Manchester City.

In the aftermath of Sunday's 4-1 defeat to Pep Guardiola's side, a furious Roy Keane criticised United players for "giving up" during the one-sided Premier League clash.

Goals from Man of the Match Kevin De Bruyne [2] and Riyad Mahrez [2] sealed all three points for City, who extended their lead at the top of the league to six points over title challengers Liverpool.

But the biggest talking point at full-time was the lacklustre performance of Ralf Rangnick's men, who failed to record a single shot in the second half.

Manchester United's attacking output in the second half today vs. Manchester City. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/Y8psTg6SCG

— The Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) March 6, 2022

📊 The last time before today that Man Utd failed to have a shot in the 2nd half of a PL game was the 0-0 draw at Liverpool in October 2017 pic.twitter.com/1v4OiJ1lun

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) March 6, 2022

A furious Keane ripped into United's players for "throwing in the towel" in that second period. "In any game, to give up, it's unforgivable really, the beauty of top level sport is that there's no hiding place," he told Sky Sports.

"We saw all of the [Manchester] United shortcomings today, there's way to lose football matches, we've all lost football matches, but the way United lost it today, they stopped running, they gave up.

"There's players not running back, that's what I don't understand, when you're playing for Man United, that's really unacceptable, they threw the towel in which is shameful."

"They gave up and shame on them"

Roy Keane didn't hold back on Manchester United's second-half performance during their 4-1 defeat to Manchester City 👇 pic.twitter.com/afLZMnQd3m

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 6, 2022

Keane's former teammate Gary Neville also slammed United's desire in the last 25 minutes of the game.

"The first thing to say is that Manchester City were outstanding, particularly in the second-half," he said. "But at the end of the game, Manchester United finished like an absolute shower. They were a disgrace in the last 25 minutes.

"The scoreline isn't the problem. It's the response to going 3-1 down that's the problem. They have thrown the towel in. It's like they have nine men.

"City have played brilliantly in this second half. But the effort and intensity from United in the last 20 minutes has been non-existent.

"There can be no complaints. City have been absolutely outstanding. But as a Manchester United fan, it's embarrassing."

🗣 "Anytime Man United play a half decent team they lose." @GNev2 say Manchester City won't get too excited about beating Man United pic.twitter.com/DGHDX3kyU9

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) March 6, 2022

After both Neville and Keane made those comments in the Sky studio, reporter Geoff Shreeves asked United midfielder Scott McTominay for his response to accusations that some players "gave up" during the game.

"Whatever goes on behind the scenes is completely irrelevant to me."

Scott McTominay reacts to Manchester United's 4-1 defeat to Manchester City 🔊 pic.twitter.com/1RID7m3oJI

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 6, 2022

The 25-year-old said: "From my point of view, on the pitch, it's hard to see what's going on around you but if that's what people are saying then so be it.

"They're all entitled to their own opinion but, for myself, it's incredibly disappointing if people think that.

"I'll have to watch it back and see body language and things like that but, for myself, it hurts. If you give a team like that all the time in the world in the second half, you're gonna get punished. It's as simple as that."

Thoughts on Keane and Neville's comments? Thoughts on McTominay's response?

Let us know in the comments.