Roy Keane has criticised Manchester United’s players for their showing in the disappointing 1-1 draw against West Ham in Thursday’s Premier League fixture at Old Trafford.
Following Monday’s poor 1-0 loss to Everton, United again delivered a lacklustre performance on home ground, squandering the opportunity to climb to fifth place after settling for a 1-1 result against the Hammers.
After a sluggish first half, Diogo Dalot put the home team ahead shortly before the hour mark, but Ruben Amorim’s men conceded from a corner in the 83rd minute when Soungoutou Magassa netted a late equaliser.
After scoring, Dalot was taken off for Patrick Dorgu, and Amorim made more substitutions as his team pushed for another goal, with Mount and Manuel Ugarte entering for Cunha and Zirkzee. Lisandro Martinez later replaced Luke Shaw, while Kobbie Mainoo remained unused.
Former United skipper Keane delivered a harsh assessment in his post-match comments, expressing frustration at the lack of forward options available on the bench.
He claimed Amorim’s substitutions were ‘bringing the levels down’ before shifting his criticism toward Mount.
Keane told Sky Sports (via Metro): ‘When you look at the squad, considering the money that has been spent, they lack strength in depth. Particularly in the attacking areas.
“When you are trying to see a game off, I look at Mason Mount when he came on, some players take longer to get up to speed but he was like a schoolboy out there.
You’re looking for players to come on with presence.
If anything they brought the levels down at United. That seemed to be the case tonight.”
United saw their rivals drop points during the midweek fixtures but once again failed to take advantage.
“Defensively and in midfield, there are huge questions,” Keane said. “I wouldn’t trust or believe in this team that they can get results.
“The reason you are playing for Man Utd is that you deal with these situations.
“You try and deal better being one up against a team in the bottom three and Everton with 10 men. If you can’t deal with that, how can you deal with being a team in the top of the table?
“If they are anxious, you worry why they are playing for Man Utd and what they are fearful of. Fearful of West Ham, why?”
