Amorim suffered his first defeat as Man United head coach against Arsenal
Former Man United captains Neville and Keane dissected the Red Devils' display
LISTEN NOW: Manchester City correspondent Jack Gaughan joins It's All Kicking Off! to explain whether Pep Guardiola will have money to spend in January
By MICHAEL PAVITT
Published: 18:36 EST, 4 December 2024 | Updated: 18:36 EST, 4 December 2024
Roy Keane has suggested new Man United head coach Ruben Amorim would do well to lead the club to a top six finish this season, after the Red Devils came up 'well short' against Arsenal.
Amorim suffered his first defeat of his Man United reign at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
Man United were undone by second half goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, as Arsenal struck twice from corners to claim all three points.
Former Man United captain Keane suggested Amorim will have learned a lot about his new side following the defeat, with the former Sporting boss having previously overseen two wins and a draw following his arrival.
'That was obviously their toughest night tonight and have come up well short,' said Keane, speaking on the Stick to Football watchalong, brought to you by Sky Bet.
'He will learn more from tonight. When you see a game like that against a decent team like Arsenal you see how big a job he (Amorim) has got ahead of him.'
Ruben Amorim suffered his first defeat as Man United boss with Arsenal earning a 2-0 win
Former Man United captain Roy Keane suggested Amorim will do well to achieve a top six finish
Keane stressed that Man United had 'come up well short' against Arsenal at the Emirates
The defeat left Man United lying in 11th in the Premier League, with the Red Devils seven points off the top four.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher asked what a successful season would be for Amorim as he looks to turn around Man United's fortunes.
'You hope they will have a decent cup run but have got Arsenal away in the [FA] Cup. In terms of league position, you’d be thinking, can’t see United finishing top six,' Keane added.
'I think it’s good he's [Amorim] come in where he is and is taking the hits now, he will be looking at players tonight going “oof”.
'I was getting frustrated at the end but they have to be more positive. Subs did very little tonight, very weak at set pieces, keeper didn’t look great.'
Gary Neville, another former Man United captain, critiqued the performance of Man United's attacking players against Arsenal.
Neville suggested the forwards had lacked intent against Arsenal, highlighting their tendency to turn back rather than drive at the Gunners' full backs.
Keane suggested the approach was familiar to how Man United have performed in big matches in recent years.
Man United were undone by two second half Arsenal corners in their defeat on Wednesday
Gary Neville highlighted a lack of intent from Man United's forwards in running at full backs
Keane suggested Amorim would have learned a lot about his Man United side in the defeat
'What do we expect from what we have seen the last two, three, four years this is what we’ve seen, in the big game United are disappointing,' Keane said.
'Maybe we should look at us and ask what are we expecting.
'United to go and beat Arsenal? No, I thought they would have a go maybe and lose 3-1 and have a go at their keeper.
'Arsenal will be sitting in the dressing room going “that wasn’t too bad that”'.