Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Stephen Killen & Liam Wood

Roy Keane names two players 'not good enough' to play for Manchester United

Roy Keane slammed Fred and Scott McTominay for their part in Manchester United's Premier League defeat to Brighton.

After finishing sixth and missing out on Champions League qualification last season, United appointed Erik ten Hag as manager in April and his first competitive game in charge came against the Seagulls at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

Pascal Gross did the damage with two goals in the first half and United were left with a mountain to climb. An own goal upon the restart did give them some hope of salvaging a positive result late on.

READ MORE: United injury news round-up

However, it proved to be a false platform in that respect as Brighton closed out the victory. As the pursuit to sign Barcelona playmaker Frenkie de Jong continues, Fred and McTominay were chosen in the engine room as Ten Hag deployed Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen in more advanced positions.

Speaking about the double pivot, former United captain turned pundit Keane told Sky Sports: "The decision-making and the football intelligence, in particular from Fred - and I've said this for a long time - Fred and McTominay are not good enough. They won't get Manchester United back competing at the top.

"We see it week in, week out. [They are] not up to it.

"They had to a gamble in the second half and Eriksen is probably in his best position when he drops back and he's picking up people, but [that decision comes] too little too late."

MORE TO READ:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.