“Whatever is going on in the dressing room, your own pride has to kick in.”
Roy Keane says he has written down the names of five or six players who should ‘never play for Manchester United again’.
United looked half decent in the opening 45 minutes against their local rivals, Manchester City at Eastlands. They went behind to a Kevin De Bruyne opener only for Jadon Sancho to curl in an equaliser.
De Bruyne soon had City in the lead again and the reigning champions went in 2-1 up at the break. The second half was not even close. United were nowhere near City. Ralf Rangnick’s side had only 21% possession in the second half and gave up 14 chances, and two more goals, while creating none of their own.
Following the game, Roy Keane went on one hell of a rant as he named out several players that he felt brought nothing to the game.
David De Gea of Manchester United looks dejected while interacting with Victor Lindeloef at Etihad Stadium. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)Roy Keane names and shames struggling Man United stars
In the post-match analysis on Sky Sports, Roy Keane said the most “unforgivable” and “unacceptable” aspect of United’s performance was how they looked to throw in the towel after Riyad Mahrez.
“When it was 3-1, we all should have gone home,” he proclaimed. “They gave up. Shame on them.”
“There’s ways to lose football matches,” Keane said. “We’ve all lost football matches, but the way that they lost it today… there were fellas out there that stopped running, gave up.”
“I’d forgive mistakes,” he added, “but you have to run back. I’ve written down five or six names [of players]. They should never play for Manchester United again. Shameful. Shameful.”
“Subs coming on [Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford], couple of lads in midfield, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Fred, Harry Maguire… I could go on!”
Later on, as host Dave Jones ran through the final two Manchester City goals, in their 4-1 win, Keane took another run at Fred and Scott McTominay.
“Just look at Fred… he’s standing there like he’s waiting for a bus. Your instinct should be to run back and fight for everything. He’s just stood there.
“Look at McTominay’s effort, look at McTominay, McTominay. He seems like an honest enough kid but, at this level, honestly… !”
As another game against a leading side went by with United put thoroughly and ruthlessly to the sword, Keane looked more disappointed than angry.
This May will be nine years since Manchester United last lifted a Premier League trophy. The wait could stretch well beyond a decade unless they quickly get their act together.
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