Roy Keane went on a stinging tirade against Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, and Rasmus Hojlund, and the £72 million Dane was cruelly compared to a Chelsea child. Manchester United has been told that if they keep these three players, they will not be getting anywhere quickly.
The Red Devils have had one of the worst seasons in Premier League history; their 1-0 loss to Chelsea on Friday night is their 18th loss in a completely miserable campaign. Even though Manchester United and their fans may find some solace in Wednesday’s Europa League final, the team’s record of 15 losses in 40 games under Ruben Amorim’s coaching presents a very dismal image.
Keane, who never holds back, has now informed United and manager Amorim that they must think about significant changes this summer. And following the defeat at Stamford Bridge, he was particularly critical of the performances of three young talents: Hojlund, Mainoo, and Garnacho.
Keane was asked if he would retain the three, who have all been connected to transfers elsewhere, this summer after he singled them out for criticism.
“No. No, I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t be hanging my hat on them three to get United anywhere,” he said.
“Mainoo came on tonight, and I watched him closely. He’s strolling around, some of his passing was sloppy.
“Garnacho is immature, he plays in little moments, but he doesn’t do enough.
“You want players to turn up week in and week out and he doesn’t do that. He’s a big talent, makes some good runs and on a good day you like what you see. But he’s got too many bad days.”
Keane utterly destroys Man Utd flop Hojlund with devastating comparison
Hojlund was a £72 million summer 2023 acquisition from Atalanta, and Keane has previously criticized him for his difficulties this season. Following Friday’s loss, he blasted the Dane even more.
“They have got no striker,” Keane said of the United attack, before comparing Hojlund’s performance to that of academy winger Tyrique George, who was asked to lead the line for Chelsea in the absence of the suspended Nicolas Jackson. “Hojlund looked like a young kid for Chelsea, he looked like he had come straight out of the academy.
“His runs weren’t right, his hold-up play, his timing. If you’re a striker playing for Man United and you are having one shot on target… we make excuses for him, saying he needs more confidence, but when you are a striker up there, you have to make things happen sometimes.
“What the big clubs have, what United always had, is strikers who can produce something by themselves because they have quality, desire, determination, a bit of experience, football intelligence.
“You don’t see it with Hojlund. he needs a little bit of support, but you need to do better.”
Keane’s comments were then put to Amorim, but the United manager was quick to defend the 22-year-old, saying: “I’m happy with Hojlund. All the team has to improve. But the way he runs, he fights for every ball.
“He loses a lot of duels, wins some duels. He needs to improve the connection, but he’s improving. He just needs to continue to work hard.”
Man Utd transfer latest: Big move for Bilbao star; Leny Yoro ‘regret’
Joshua Zirkzee is another unimpressive talent who might depart this summer.
Remarkably, however, there are already rumors that one of the Champions League finalists from this season is considering a loan-to-buy deal for the Dutchman this summer.
Meanwhile, United apparently had a scout present when Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. made his Portugal under-15 debut in a triumph over Japan, which is another indication that the INEOS regime is preparing for the future.
A move is not considered simple, though, because up to 16 other teams are vying for the same target.
Leny Yoro is one young player that United has gotten right, but a source has recently revealed the youngster’s remorse at turning down Real Madrid for United.
Last but not least, United has gotten in touch with Athletic Club to let them know that they intend to fulfill the exit clause in Oihan Sancet’s contract this summer. This comes after Spanish media outlets reported that Bruno Fernandes was accelerating a concerning record-breaking escape from Old Trafford.
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