Roy Keane declared that Manchester United are “playing like a small club” after being beaten by Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
Man United were outplayed in the first half at Old Trafford, and although Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo scored to turn the game around, Mohamed Salah’s penalty meant the match ended 2-2.
After the match, Erik ten Hag was positive in his post-match interview, which led to a drinking joke from Led towards Keane, who was at Manchester United from 1994 to 2005.
Keane told Sky Sports: “Listen, he obviously had a couple of glasses of wine after the game.” I don’t know how strong that is, but he seemed very optimistic and I admire him for that, because he’s obviously seen something that I’m not seeing right now.”
He also said: “The way Man United play is like a mid-table team, a small club, you don’t know what you’re going to get.”
Roy Keane said Manchester United were playing like “a small club” after Sunday’s 2-2 draw
Erik ten Hag gave an upbeat interview, leading the Irishman to wonder if he was drinking.
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He said that if Manchester United want to win the “big prizes” once again, or even compete for them, they would have to show up week after week, rather than relying on “a bit of excitement”.
Keane noted that they had lost 12 games and had a goal difference of minus one, which he called “nowhere near good enough”.
While there was “potential at the football club”, the 52-year-old argued they were “far away” from challenging Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool at the top of the top flight.
The Irishman said: “They are competing at the moment with Aston Villa and Spurs for that fourth and fifth position, and at this stage, they are way behind them.”
‘So I don’t understand your positivity. Maybe it’s because I’m a little old and in a bad mood.
He said he did not see an “upbeat performance” in the match against Liverpool, particularly after his criticism of Man United at half-time, when they were 1-0 down to a Luis Diaz goal.
He gave the Red Devils “credit” for two “very good” goals from Fernandes and Mainoo, but felt they were “far away” from returning to the good times, after conceding soft goals from set pieces.
Keane considered Man United unlikely to challenge next season due to their current problems, adding: “I’m not sure they’re a real team.”
Manchester United’s experienced players, including Casemiro, were criticized by experts
In their last three games, Man United have dropped seven points from winning positions.
For his part, ten Hag lamented the “stupid mistakes” that have cost Manchester United valuable points in their failed bid to qualify for the Champions League, with the team dropping seven points from winning positions in their last three league games.
“I have very mixed emotions,” Ten Hag said. ‘On the one hand, I’m disappointed to have lost seven points, but we have to blame ourselves for making stupid mistakes.
‘On the other hand, I am very proud. “You see how we are improving and the potential of this team is amazing.”
After three consecutive games in which Man United have lost a winning position and dropped points, they travel to Bournemouth on Saturday, eight days before the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City at Wembley.