Manchester United return to Premier League action in less than two weeks and there is still plenty that needs addressing
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane(Image: Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
In less than two weeks, Roy Keane will undoubtedly be back in front of our TV screens ruling over the opening day performance of Manchester United when they take on Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Keane has insisted previously that it does not ruin his day or weekend if United lose but only the most cynical of former players would not wish to see the Reds perform this season better than last. Having swapped out Erik ten Hag for Ruben Amorim, performances from United did not improve and, in some instances, they did in fact regress.
Not one to mince his words, Keane let rip at United ahead of their trip to Liverpool, a match which would produce one of their better performances of last season. But, when the former United captain spoke, he summed up nearly all the frustrations that fans had with the playing squad for, on and off, the past decade.
"You talk about the system, the ownership... the usual stuff," he explained. "But the players, every time I look at United you want United to have quality, pace, belief, and whatever.
"I just want a bit of passion from United, a bit of passion in their performances. You ask about can you show us some enthusiasm, some energy.
"You are not even seeing that from this group of players. It's absolutely disgraceful what they are doing week in and week out, the results they are turning up."
It was damning criticism from Keane and something that United's manager Amorim will have been keen to avoid repeating on the opening day of 2025/26. However, Bruno Fernandes' comments post-match in Atlanta overnight suggest that Keane could be cranking up his rants again this season.
"Obviously it was positive to be together, to create a bond between the players, to get into the way we want to play and to involve the new ones and everything," Fernandes began on NBC Sport. "But obviously we didn't want to finish in this way; our performance wasn't the best.
"Off the ball, I think we were a little bit lazy today. We have to avoid that because the laziness means you can pay at any moment.
"By one mistake from me, we ended up at 2-2." There is, of course, caveats to be had for this performance.
Bruno Fernandes looks down as Manchester United win the Premier League Summer Series
Bruno Fernandes looks down as Manchester United win the Premier League Summer Series
It came at the end of a long pre-season tour of the US, the Premier League Summer Series is arguably a trophy that the Reds could afford to do without and the focus is most likely on a return to the UK and the start of the serious stuff. However, this group of players know just how bad things can get if they fail to focus and just go through the motions.
These friendlies are not fully irrelevant, especially when there are places up for grabs in the team that starts against Arsenal. Should United not heed the warning from Fernandes in the forthcoming season, they can expect the likes of Keane to come down on them again with both barrels.
Their attitude towards matches needs to change quickly as when Mikel Arteta and his squad arrive at Old Trafford, there will be no place for excuses.
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