Roy Keane has pointed the finger at those who are at fault after Manchester United’s 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United on the weekend.
Manchester United suffered yet another setback in their turbulent Premier League campaign, falling to a 4-1 defeat against Newcastle United on Sunday — their 14th loss of the season under Rúben Amorim.
The visitors began the match with promise, pushing forward with energy and purpose, but it was Newcastle who landed the first blow. On 25 minutes, Alexander Isak floated a brilliant ball over the top for Sandro Tonali, who made no mistake in finishing past Altay Bayındir to give the hosts the lead.
Despite Newcastle dominating possession, United struck back before the break. A swift counter-attack ended with Alejandro Garnacho calmly slotting home in the 37th minute to level the score, sending Amorim’s side into half-time with hope.
But that hope was short-lived. Just minutes into the second half, Jacob Murphy found Harvey Barnes with a sharp cut-back, and the winger restored Newcastle’s lead. Barnes doubled his tally soon after, taking advantage of a slip from Noussair Mazraoui to make it 3-1.
Bruno Guimarães added a fourth with just over ten minutes remaining, capitalising on a loose pass from Bayındır. United offered little in response, as Newcastle cruised to a deserved victory and deepened the Red Devils’ woes.
Keane believes United team has “no power”
Speaking at full time Roy Keane was not happy with United’s second half performance. In particular, he took aim at how United capitulated. He said: “You mentioned that nobody likes to lose games. Of course not, but sometimes it’s the way you lose. It’s the way they give up some of the goals in the second half.”
The result on Tyneside means that United have equalled their most Premier League defeats in a single season. “They’ve lost 14 league games, and they lost 14 last season. So that’s why you have to point the finger at this group of players,” continued Keane.
“This group of players, the mistakes they’re making, I mentioned at the end of the game, they can’t seem to get around the pitch. There’s no power in the team.”
Amorim was asked after the match whether the United job was bigger than he anticipated and afterwards, Keane defended the new manager.
“I think he’s scratching his head. He’s frustrated in that interview, of course. He wants to focus on the next game. But you also have to reflect on the game today. That’s where we’re at. I bet you he can’t believe how bad the United team is,” the ex-midfielder added.
Keane did have some sympathies for the United squad, concluding: “As I said, there’s nothing wrong with losing football matches. It’s a great team to lose football matches, but sometimes it’s the way you lose it… The only defence I have, obviously, for a lot of the players is that a lot of them are still new to the Premier League. And the manager’s new to the Premier League.”
United players adjusting to Premier League
Keane’s defence of United’s squad adjusting to the Premier League does have merit. Harry Amass and Bayinder made their Premier League debut today and a further five United players to feature today has not played in England prior to this season. The same can be said for Amorim who has not yet reached the six month-mark as a Premier League manager.
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However there was a strong core of players in United’s match day squad that have been at United or in the Premier League for years and these players clearly have not received Keane’s defence.
Players like Christian Ericksen, Diogo Dalot and Victor Lindelof were at least partly at fault for goals United conceded and all three have extensive Premier League experience under their belts.
Keane acknowledged Amorims desire for “recruiting this summer” and it would appear both of them believe a number of Manchester United’s veteran players need replacing while the new crop find their feet.
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