Roy Keane launched a scathing criticism of Manchester United after their goalless draw with Arsenal on Saturday, claiming the players looked 'frightened' by the prospect of challenging for the Premier League title. The former United captain was speaking as a pundit on Sky Sports following a tame encounter at Old Trafford, where Arsenal were missing key attackers Bukayo Saka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Keane expressed disbelief that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side lacked the belief to seize the opportunity against a weakened Arsenal team. "All of a sudden people are saying 'can you win the league', can you compete with Man City? And it looks like the players have got a bit, almost frightened of the challenge," he said. "It's as if they've gone 'I don't think we're ready for that yet'."
The draw followed United's 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United, and Keane was particularly concerned by their failure to deliver a killer blow. "I'm scratching my head with United," he said. "The worry for me, watching them today, was they almost lacked the belief that they could go and win the game. It's Man United. You're looking at Arsenal who are missing a few players. I know that doesn't guarantee you to win football matches. The game was there for the taking."
Keane suggested United appeared content with second place in the table. "It seems to be (they're happy with second)," he added. The result leaves United three points behind Manchester City, who have a game in hand, while Leicester City can leapfrog United if they win their game in hand at home to Leeds on Sunday.
