Manchester United have sold three of the four players Roy Keane previously declared were not good enough for the club, with just one remaining. Keane took issue with the performances of Scot McTominay, Fred, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.
McTominay, Fred and Hojlund have all left for pastures new while Dutch striker Zirkzee finds himself in limbo at United. Zirkzee featured in pre-season but could still depart before the transfer window shuts on September 1.
Keane's Criticism
In August 2022, Keane slammed Fred and McTominay for their part in United's 2-1 Premier League defeat to Brighton. The duo were tasked by then-manager Erik ten Hag with anchoring United's midfield but Keane was deeply unimpressed by their efforts.
The former Old Trafford great told Sky Sports: "The decision-making and the football intelligence, in particular from Fred - and I've said this for a long time - Fred and McTominay are not good enough. They won't get Manchester United back competing at the top. We see it week in, week out. [They are] not up to it."
Fast forward to April 2025 and Keane continued his trademark, no-holds-barred punditry. Under former boss Ruben Amorim, United were held to a dour goalless draw with Manchester City and Keane took aim at Zirkzee and Danish forward Hojlund.
"Manchester United can still be more of a goal threat," he said on Sky Sports. "The couple of strikers United have at the club are not good enough for United, but there are other players on the team."
"I’m not saying they all have to be like that – but they have experienced players there. Maguire, Casemiro, Fernandes – do they get a grip of these players?"
Where They Are Now
McTominay, who joined United at five years old, has flourished since leaving Manchester in the summer of 2024 for Napoli in a £25million deal. The Scot, 29, picked up the Serie A player of the year award in his maiden season as he helped lead Antonio Conte's side to the Italian title. Last season, Napoli finished second behind Inter Milan but they did win the Supercoppa Italiana.
His former midfield partner, Fred, now 33, signed for United from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2018 for £47m. The Brazil international won the League Cup with the club in 2023. He was a regular in the side until his departure to Fenerbahce in August 2023, a season on from Keane's scathing criticism. He has been a constant at Turkish giants across three seasons, winning the Turkish Super Cup in 2025.
Hojlund left Old Trafford for Napoli on loan in September 2025 before making the move permanent this summer for around £38m. The 23-year-old joined United from Atalanta in July 2023 for an initial £64m but he struggled at Old Trafford, scoring 26 times in 95 appearances. However, he did win the FA Cup with United in 2024. He bagged 16 goals in his debut season in Italy, winning the Supercoppa Italiana. But he has struggled to make an impact in pre-season with the Italians this summer.
Zirkzee's Uncertain Future
That just leaves Zirkzee from Keane's hit-list. According to Sky Sport Italia, Juventus are keen on securing the 25-year-old on a season-long loan. He has struggled to cement his place at the club since his £36.5million arrival in 2024, netting just nine goals in 75 appearances in all competitions.
The report suggests that Zirkzee has already given the green light to the Serie A heavyweights. This is due to the competition in the forward areas, with Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo all getting minutes ahead of him and restricting his playing time.
