Roy Keane believes that Manchester United need an upgrade on Christian Eriksen to close the gap to Manchester City and Liverpool.
The Red Devils secured a 0-0 draw in their final game before the international break to shield their embattled manager Erik ten Hag from a haze of further fire – which presumably would have been enough to see him removed from his post.
But despite the somewhat positive result against Champions League-chasers Aston Villa, United remained 14th in the division and have had their worst start to a Premier League campaign.
Precious few players have gained much credit this term, including Eriksen – a starter in three of United’s last four top-flight matches – who sensationally claimed that FC Twente ‘looked like they wanted it more’ that the Red Devils during their 1-1 Europa League draw last month.
This comment caught the attention of many, including the former club captain, who hit out at the midfielder and insisted that he should not have made those feelings public.
Roy Keane believes that Christian Eriksen is not good enough for Manchester United to keep for a Premier League title
The Dane admitted that United ‘didn’t want it’ as much as an opponent earlier this season
‘I would be disgusted if I came in after a game and felt another team wanted it more than us.’ Keane said on Stick to Football , brought to you by Sky Bet. ‘You try and make sure that doesn’t even come into your mind.
‘Eriksen is not going to close the gap to Manchester City or Liverpool. Absolutely not. I am looking at him going, you don’t say it you fool! Somehow should get a grip of him.’
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Keane also revealed that the game against the Dutch side was the final straw for him as he questioned the ‘culture’ at his old side amid their struggling form.
He added: ‘After the Twente game. A really poor game. When you’ve got players coming out and saying ‘I think they might have wanted it more than us’. I kind of gave up at that stage.
‘If that’s the noises coming out of the dressing room, then no wonder the manager is in trouble and no wonder they’re not going to win football matches. But that’s where United are – it’s hit and miss.
‘They will win a few games but they’re going to lose plenty. I’m not sure there is a team there. I’d love to know what the culture is like at the training ground, who’s putting demands on each other, who’s pushing each other, who’s helping the younger players.
‘Are the senior players proper and wanting to get the job done against FC Twente instead of coming out and saying they wanted it more.’
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, centre, was seen leaving Ineos’ headquarters in Knightsbridge on Tuesday
Under-fire Erik ten Hag reportedly expects to be in charge of the Red Devils when they face Brentford after the international break
According to The Mirror, Ten Hag expects to be in charge when United’s Premier League campaign resumes on October 19 despite club executives discussing his uncertain future during a summit earlier this week.
Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe hosted the meeting at INEOS’ headquarters in Knightsbridge and the manager’s position is believed to have been on the agenda.
Ratcliffe was joined by co-chairman Joel Glazer, CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, technical director Jason Wilcox and director Sir Dave Brailsford for the summit.
United are keeping tight-lipped over any potential outcomes but the absence of a statement on Ten Hag’s future suggests he will remain in charge for the foreseeable future. He is set to return to Carrington early next week to begin his preparations for the visit of Brentford.
Roy Keane was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet
