Manchester United's ambitions of returning to the Champions League this season have been dismissed by two of football's most outspoken pundits, Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher. The former captains believe the task is currently beyond a United side that remains unconvincing under manager Ruben Amorim.
Sky Sports Pundits Deliver Damning Verdict
Speaking on Sky Sports' Friday Night Football, the analysts were united in their scepticism regarding United's capacity to secure a top-four finish. The Red Devils entered their Boxing Day clash with Newcastle United sitting seventh in the Premier League table, a position that reflects their inconsistent campaign.
Jamie Carragher was clear in his assessment, stating that while European qualification should be the minimum expectation, the elite competition is a bridge too far. "I don't think they'll finish in the top four but they need to get into Europe," the ex-Liverpool defender said. He pointed to the significant summer investment and the lack of European distractions as reasons why a continental place is essential, labelling last season's 15th-place finish as setting "the bar so low."
Amorim Under Pressure to Prove His Worth
The scrutiny falls heavily on Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim, who is now in his first full season at Old Trafford. Having had a full pre-season and the backing in the transfer market, the expectation for a marked improvement is high. This term marks the first time in over a decade that United have been without Champions League or Europa League football, making a return to Europe an obvious and urgent target.
However, Roy Keane admitted he remains far from convinced by Amorim's impact. "He got a pre-season and signings, they have no Europe but they are still not showing it. We are still waiting," the former United captain argued. "The question marks are still there for me, we talk about top four but they are not ready for that."
Defensive Frailties Highlighted as Major Obstacle
Keane pinpointed United's persistent defensive issues as the fundamental barrier to any meaningful progress. He acknowledged their attacking threat but stressed that until they become harder to beat, they will stagnate.
"Man Utd just need to be better," Keane asserted. "I still feel that any time I watched Man Utd, as good as they are going forward, teams seem to create chances so easily. If you want to make progress as a football club you have to be harder to beat. If they keep giving up chances and goals like they are, they will never make the next step."
The consensus from the punditry box is clear: for all the talk of a Champions League push, Manchester United must first address foundational problems. The path back to Europe's top table appears longer than the current league position might suggest, with Amorim facing a critical period to alter the narrative and win over his doubters.
