Roy Keane slams Man Utd player for years of underperforming | OneFootball

Keane and Neville Raise Concerns Over Man Utd and Amorim’s Struggles

Manchester United’s defeat in the derby has reignited questions around the direction of travel under Ruben Amorim. While the Portuguese coach insists he is building something long-term at Old Trafford, former players Roy Keane and Gary Neville voiced strong concerns about the team’s performances, mentality, and tactical set-up.

Keane Calls for Fire and Anger

Roy Keane, never one to shy away from direct words, was clear in his assessment of the 3-0 loss:

“He should be fuming. He should be raging. I like managerial emotion, but I like my manager to show his anger as well. I just couldn’t imagine being in a dressing room after losing the derby game 3-0 and everyone going, ‘Yeah, did we all try?’”

Keane’s frustration stemmed not only from the result but from the lack of intensity:

“He’s on about people not being aggressive out of possession. When the goals go in, that’s when you have to be aggressive. It’s called smelling danger when you’re a footballer.”

His broader concern is whether the players are fully invested in Amorim’s system:

“My worry is if the players aren’t truly behind him in terms of the way they’re playing in the system, because the results just haven’t been good enough. Yeah, big worry.”

Keane’s words reflect a recurring theme: Man Utd appear to lack both conviction and quality when it matters most, a cocktail that has left supporters questioning the project.

Neville Pinpoints Midfield as a Structural Weakness

Gary Neville, meanwhile, was keen to highlight structural issues in Amorim’s tactical set-up. Central midfield, in particular, is an area he believes remains unsolved:

“When he talks about the two in midfield… United haven’t got the right two in there. Whether that’s Casemiro, Mainoo, or Fernandes – none of them fit. That’s a big problem for him.”

Neville suggested that while Amorim wants a compact side, the system quickly unravels:

“When United go a goal down and those three in front start to be a bit more risk-taking, that two then look wide open. None of them are good enough to defend that space. You’d need Keane and Vieira, Gerrard. That’s why they get found out against decent opposition.”

The tactical puzzle stretches across the pitch. Neville admitted the shape appears difficult for players to grasp:

“I just think it’s too confusing for the players. I think it’s easier to go with four at the back and push someone in midfield rather than go with a five at the back.”

The lack of a natural role for Bruno Fernandes was another concern. Neville compared it to Juan Sebastián Verón’s ill-fitting stint in Sir Alex Ferguson’s 4-4-2:

“Fernandes is United’s best player. But in this system, he either has to play as one of a two in midfield, which means he’s deep, or as a wide forward. That isn’t ideal.”

Mounting Pressure on Amorim

Both pundits refrained from calling directly for change, but neither offered much reassurance. Neville pointed out the poor numbers:

“Since his first Premier League game, I think he’s got less points than some of the worst teams in the league. If you’re going to be at Man Utd, it needs to be better than that. Right now, he’s not getting it right.”

Keane added:

“It’s more hope than belief at this moment. We’re watching week in, week out – not convinced. I hope they can prove us wrong.”

With Chelsea up next, the pressure continues to mount. Amorim insists he is building for the future, but in Keane’s words, “while you’re building something, you’ve got to win the odd football match.”

For now, Man Utd remain stuck between a project and the brutal realities of the Premier League table.