Jose Mourinho has advised Ruben Amorim to stop playing ONE particular Man United’s player or get sacked by January.
Roy Keane didn’t hold back in his assessment of Manchester United’s performance during their 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town, criticizing the team for failing to maintain their early intensity and adopting a defensive mindset after taking an early lead. Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane expressed frustration with United’s lack of ambition following a promising start under new manager Rúben Amorim.
The match at Portman Road began positively for United, with Marcus Rashford finding the back of the net just two minutes in, courtesy of a pinpoint cross from Amad Diallo. It was an ideal start to Amorim’s tenure, showcasing early promise. However, the momentum quickly shifted, as Ipswich grew more confident and put United on the back foot. Despite Andre Onana’s impressive save to deny Liam Delap, Ipswich equalized before halftime when Omari Hutchinson’s deflected effort found the net.
Keane acknowledged the quality of United’s opening goal but was scathing about the team’s overall performance. “It was a fantastic start—exactly what you’d want in the first minute of the game,” he said. “I’m not sure Rashford made perfect contact with the cross, and there’s a question mark over the goalkeeper, but the wing-backs showed great intent. It was the perfect beginning.”
However, his praise quickly turned to criticism as he dissected United’s inability to maintain their dominance. “After that, it’s as if they switched off,” Keane remarked. “Ipswich deserved their equalizer. United started strong but then retreated. Why sit back? Why give Ipswich the upper hand? They handed their opponents the confidence they needed.”
Keane also highlighted a broader issue with United’s approach. “There’s no longer any fear of facing United,” he declared. “They allow teams to grow into the game and believe they can compete. That’s exactly what Ipswich did, and it cost United.”
His pointed critique highlights deeper concerns about United’s consistency and intensity. While Amorim’s arrival has sparked hope, this early performance suggests there’s much work to be done. The new manager must instill a sense of urgency and ensure the team capitalizes on strong starts rather than squandering them.
For Keane, the match epitomized a familiar problem for United: failing to sustain focus and pressure after promising openings. If Amorim cannot address this issue and cultivate a more relentless mentality, Keane’s warnings may prove prophetic, raising serious questions about United’s ability to challenge at the highest level.
