Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has lavished praise on the Red Devils for overcoming Manchester City in Sunday afternoon's derby at Old Trafford.
United stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 matches courtesy of a 2-0 success over Pep Guardiola's side.
Anthony Martial had sent the 20-time English champions ahead in the first period before substitute Scott McTominay made sure of the points in the final exchanges of the contest.
Keane paid tribute to the "electric" atmosphere inside the stadium before claiming that the victory was "a big boost" for head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
"It's was brilliant, electric. I think the fans needed that today. It was dogged - not pretty - but United showed a lot of pride and spirit. The goal at the end was fantastic. I've not seen the atmosphere like that for a long time," Keane told Sky Sports News.
"There's a long way back but it was a huge step. I've given City huge praise over the last few years, which is not easy to do, but I felt like it meant more to United today than City. For all City's possession, they weren't dangerous with it. It was all in front of United.
"They've been under a lot of pressure and criticism. I've been critical but United have done well today. It's a big boost for Ole. The atmosphere was fantastic. But when you get a big win you have to follow it up."
United have returned to fifth position in the Premier League table, again within three points of fourth-placed Chelsea, ahead of next weekend's trip to Jose Mourinho's Tottenham Hotspur.
Matt Law
