“This coach is not the man for this job. Look at what he is saying. No coach those that. He is deceiving both the fans and the board. He needs to get sacked”-Roy Keane exposes Erik ten Hag on what he said after losing against Liverpool.
Former Manchester United legend Roy Keane has delivered a scathing critique of Erik ten Hag’s current squad, warning that they could be dismissed as merely a “cup team” rather than true contenders for the Premier League title. Keane’s sharp comments come in the wake of Manchester United’s humbling 3-0 loss to Liverpool, a result that has left him deeply unimpressed with the team’s performance under Ten Hag’s leadership.
As part of the Sky Sports panel, Keane didn’t hold back in his analysis of the Red Devils. He emphasized the team’s inconsistency, pointing out that while they have shown flashes of brilliance in cup competitions, their performances in the Premier League have been far less convincing. Under Ten Hag’s guidance, United managed a third-place finish in one season, hinting at potential, but then slumped to a disappointing eighth place the following year. For Keane, this inconsistency is symptomatic of deeper problems within the club.
Keane’s critique highlights the stark contrast in Manchester United’s recent achievements: despite winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in back-to-back seasons, their league form has been underwhelming. His concerns go beyond the fluctuating league standings to the overall direction and ambition of the club. He drew parallels between Manchester United’s current situation and the early stages of Jurgen Klopp’s tenure at Liverpool and Mikel Arteta’s time at Arsenal. In both cases, despite initial struggles, there was a clear vision and strong backing for a rebuild—something Keane believes is lacking at United, leading to waning hope among fans and within the club itself.
Keane also pointed out a worrying trend at Old Trafford: fans leaving matches early. He interprets this as a clear sign of diminishing confidence in the team’s ability to compete at the highest level. “When supporters start leaving after just sixty minutes because the game feels lost, it’s a clear indication of how far we’ve fallen,” Keane observed, stressing the psychological impact this has on both players and the management. He believes that this visible lack of faith from the fans only increases the pressure on Ten Hag, who is already facing criticism for his tactical decisions and team selections.
Despite his harsh assessment, Keane expressed a measure of empathy for Ten Hag and a strong desire to see the club return to its former glory. He acknowledged that the road to recovery will be difficult unless Manchester United can find greater consistency and resilience, especially in crucial matches. “I want nothing more than to see United bounce back,” Keane stated. “But the longer this takes, and the more performances like today’s we witness, the harder it will be to rebuild that winning mentality.”
Keane’s remarks echo the growing sentiment among Manchester United supporters and football pundits alike: the team needs to deliver a more stable and convincing league campaign. Without this, Keane cautions, Manchester United risks becoming a team known only for occasional cup victories but lacking the consistency and depth required to challenge for the Premier League title—a fate no true fan of the club would accept. His analysis serves as a challenge for Ten Hag and his squad to rise to the occasion and restore Manchester United to its former greatness.
