Manchester United's defensive frailties were brutally exposed by Aston Villa on Sunday, prompting fierce criticism from club legends Roy Keane and Gary Neville. The Red Devils suffered a 2-1 defeat at Villa Park, ending a remarkable run of not losing at the ground since 1995.
Keane's Scathing Assessment of United's Lack of Fight
Speaking on Sky Sports after the final whistle, a furious Roy Keane did not hold back. He pinpointed Portuguese full-back Diogo Dalot for particular scorn, suggesting a critical lack of effort from the defender.
"You can have all the talent in the world, but we mention it time and time again, you've got to roll your sleeves up," Keane stated. "When the game gets a bit tired, or in those moments, you go, 'I'm going to do my bit for the team.' There's too many players, like Dalot, who just don't do enough."
Keane intensified his critique, focusing on the build-up to Morgan Rogers' second goal. He questioned why Dalot did not apply more pressure to Youri Tielemans at the corner flag. "I won't use the word 'cheating' but they're not doing enough," Keane continued. "And after the game, I'd be looking at him... I'd be asking him, 'are you going to stop him?'"
Neville Singles Out Yoro's Fatal 'Amble'
Gary Neville was equally damning in his analysis of young French defender Leny Yoro for the opening goal. Reviewing Rogers' superb strike, Neville highlighted Yoro's passive defending as the crucial error.
"I just thought, as Yoro doesn't go and close him down on that first touch… he ambles, Manchester United's right centre-back," Neville explained. "I thought, 'Uh oh, you could be in trouble here'. There's no doubt Leny Yoro has to get out quicker, he has to make sure he confronts him outside the box."
Neville, drawing on his own experience as a defender, emphasised the fatal hesitation. "He just ambled, Yoro, which was a big mistake. When you play against a special player you have to edge over... you need to get out close and harass him, you can't drift."
Consequences for United's Top-Four Ambitions
The defeat had significant ramifications for Manchester United's Premier League campaign. The loss prevented them from drawing level on points with rivals Chelsea and Liverpool, leaving them still adrift in the race for a coveted top-four finish.
The victory, secured by a "sumptuous brace" from Morgan Rogers, was Aston Villa's tenth consecutive home win this season. It firmly keeps Unai Emery's side in the conversation among the title contenders, while United are left to ponder a defensive performance that attracted such stinging rebuke from their own iconic former players.
