Roy Keane expressed his bewilderment and frustration with the attitude of several Manchester United players following their 3-0 defeat in the derby against Manchester City on Sunday.
The Red Devils endured a difficult match as they were outplayed by Pep Guardiola’s side, with Erling Haaland netting a brace and Phil Foden adding a goal, resulting in United’s fifth Premier League loss of the season.
Keane emphasized the importance of senior players taking responsibility for the team’s performance, especially during a challenging match. He urged players like Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans to utilize their extensive experience to guide and support their teammates.
Reflecting on the criticisms faced by current players, Keane commented during his appearance on Sky Sports, “We used to get stick, and we were winning stuff. So, that’s part of the package of playing for Man United – courage, bravery, and the desire to receive the ball even when you don’t want it. I didn’t witness that. I’m not saying this is a poor group of players, but in the second half, we saw them being torn apart.”
Keane looked for leadership from experienced players to stabilize the team. He specifically mentioned Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans, emphasizing that they should have utilized their vast experience to guide the team.
Keane added, “When United was being overrun, there should have been a decision to sit back and hold the line. I don’t understand why senior players, who have a wealth of experience and have played numerous games, didn’t gather the team and say, ‘For the next 10 minutes, we need to defend.’ United displayed solidity in the first half, but Keane questioned where the leadership from these so-called experienced characters had gone.”
Additionally, Keane expressed his confusion regarding Marcus Rashford’s demeanor during the match. He felt that the English forward appeared disheartened at Old Trafford, especially in his struggles against Kyle Walker. Keane raised further questions about the leadership within the team.