Manchester United legend Roy Keane has launched a scathing attack on the club's current squad, stating he has no faith in their ability to restore the club to its former glory.
Keane's Stark Assessment of United's Flaws
Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of United's clash with West Ham, with his old side languishing in eighth place, Keane did not hold back. "I wouldn't trust these players to get Manchester United back up competing for the big prizes," the former captain declared. He expressed particular concern over the defensive reliability of the team's wing-backs and midfield, despite acknowledging an improved goal threat from the attackers this season.
"I wouldn't have too much confidence in the wing backs defensively - or the midfield yet," Keane said. "The attacking players have given United a bit of a boost this year; certainly they're more of a goal threat. But I wouldn't sit here and hang my hat on these midfield and defensive players, that they're good enough to play regularly and do the business week-in, week-out for Man United."
Shocking Statistic Highlights Attacking Ineptitude
Keane's criticism was backed by a damning statistic. The four wing-backs to have started for manager Ruben Amorim in the Premier League this season – Diogo Dalot, Amad Diallo, Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui – have managed a paltry combined total of just one goal and three assists.
When it was pointed out that Crystal Palace's Daniel Munoz alone has five goal contributions, Keane bluntly stated: "That's because he's a better player and he's better in that position." He added, "We look at these players and we think 'they're not very good defensively but they're better attacking players', but even the stats going forward aren't that good. That's why United will need better than the players we just spoke about."
The article highlighted the specific issues with the players in question. Amad Diallo, the only United wing-back to score this term, has flourished going forward but his defensive weaknesses have left United vulnerable. Originally a winger, he has been adapted to fit Amorim's 3-4-3 system. Conversely, natural full-back Diogo Dalot, now often deployed on the left, has been far less effective in attack this season.
Amorim's Anxiety and Zirkzee Under Fire
Manager Ruben Amorim has openly admitted to feeling anxious watching Dalot and Dorgu, saying, "I don't know what's going to happen in January. What I feel when I see them training, they are doing so much better than in games." This has led to Dorgu being dropped from the last two starting line-ups.
Another player who failed to escape Keane's fierce scrutiny was striker Joshua Zirkzee, despite the Dutchman ending a near year-long goal drought against Crystal Palace last weekend. Keane described Zirkzee's general play in that match as "so bad," almost using the word "awful."
"The amount of times he gave the ball away cheaply, not under pressure," Keane said. "All of that part of the game he has to improve on if he wants to be at United... He hasn't got my trust yet. I don't believe he's a proper United striker yet." Keane did concede that the goal might boost the 24-year-old's confidence, but insisted huge question marks remain.
Keane's brutal honesty paints a bleak picture of a Manchester United squad he believes lacks the quality and consistency required to challenge for the game's top honours, with fundamental issues persisting in both defence and attack.
