Roy Keane gives a scathing assessment of Manchester United stars Kobbie Mainoo, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho, calling them expendable. United lost their 18th Premier League game this season against Chelsea on Friday after suffering a 1-0 Stamford Bridge loss.
Man United have endured a horrible campaign, currently 16th in the Premier League, with only one game left this season. However, the Europa League remains the Red Devils’ opportunity to achieve something and qualify for the next season’s Champions League.
United appointed Ruben Amorim to replace Erik ten Hag, hoping that he could change the club’s fortune immediately this season. The squad that Amorim inherited has failed to adjust to the different tactical demands of the former Sporting CP manager.
Manchester United legend Roy Keane criticised Kobbie Mainoo, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho after the Chelsea loss. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Manchester United legend Roy Keane criticised Kobbie Mainoo, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho after the Chelsea loss. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Speaking to Sky Sports, Keane delivered a scathing assessment of United stars Mainoo, Hojlund and Garnacho against Chelsea. The Man United legend suggested that the three players are expendable despite their young age and immense potential to improve. He said:
“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.”
“No. No I wouldn’t [fight to keep Hojlund, Garnacho and Mainoo]. I wouldn’t be hanging my hat on them three to get United anywhere. 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 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.”
United are facing a bigger problem than just the struggle of the current squad to adjust to the tactical requirements. The Red Devils’ past frivolous spending is coming back to haunt them as they have to sell players before buying.
Many surplus players have suffered a significant drop in their valuation due to poor consistency and stagnation over the years. The Red Devils could sell their young assets, who possess the potential to succeed at the top level.
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Both Garnacho and Mainoo earned their position in the senior team after enjoying a strong development in the prestigious United academy. Meanwhile, the Manchester giant bought Hojlund from Atalanta under Ten Hag for a massive price tag. However, neither of the three young stars has established themselves as a reliable first-team starter for the Red Devils.