Roy Keane claims anyone who thinks Manchester United can win the title is “living in cloud cuckoo land” – and has named three players not up to standard.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 100th match at the wheel ended in a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford. It also left the Red Devils winless in their first four home league matches for the first time since 1972-73.
The Gunners’ win came after a poor error of judgement from Paul Pogba. His pointless challenge on Hector Bellerin in the box resulted in a penalty, which Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gratefully fired home.
Pogba faced up to his mistake after the game and conceded he needed to make rapid improvements.
Despite the admission from Pogba, it did not spare the Frenchman, nor United, from severe criticism from Keane.
However, instead of blaming Pogba, Keane took his ire out on Fred, Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic.
Speaking to Sky Sports following the defeat to the Gunners, Keane did not mince his words.
“There’s nothing wrong with Man United winning a game 3-1, or 3-2, you’ve got to get on the front-foot,” he said.
“Last year, Chelsea scored more goals than them, Leicester scored more goals than them.
“People talk about Fred and McTominay in midfield, they’ve had their chance, we’ve seen them.
“I don’t think they’re bad players, but they won’t get United back to winning league titles. Tim [Cahill, fellow pundit on Sky] makes a point there about Man United having great players, I don’t see it, I don’t see the great players.
“They have some very good players, but they need to show a bit more.”
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Keane fears Solskjaer sack
United went into the game on the back of a 5-0 Champions League win over RB Leipzig.
But the pundit believes they remain unlikely to challenge for the game’s biggest prizes.
He added: “[Donny] van de Beek has come into the club, and there’s nothing wrong with biding your time.
“But if you think Fred, McTominay and Matic in midfield will get Man United back to the heights of winning titles, then you’re living in cuckoo land.
“They won’t, I think they’re good players – I like them – but not to the next level, and that’s surely what United are looking for.”
Keane also believes Solskjaer could be heading for the sack.
“We were almost building up this season as make-or-break for Ole, but at this moment in time it’s not looking good for him. I scratch my head at players who don’t have enthusiasm for a game of football.
“Sometimes you say ‘there’s no reason to panic’. But the results and performances suggest you should be panicking. He says they are good boys and want to win but I judge a player by actions. My eyes don’t lie to me. The last disappointment was just a few weeks ago against Spurs – this teams reacts for a few weeks and get carried away with themselves.
“Ole will lose his job working with these players – that’s what is going to happen.”
READ MORE: Solskjaer hints at mentality issue behind defeat; chides Pogba over penalty
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James Marshment
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