'Man Utd well short in depth' - Keane picks out FOUR problem players

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 23 Jan 2023 15:41 GMT
• 4 min read

Manchester United club legend and former midfielder Roy Keane believes there are four clear areas of weakness still left in the squad following their 3-2 defeat to Arsenal.

A strike from Bukayo Saka and a brace from Eddie Nketiah, including a late winner, were enough for Arsenal to seal their 16th Premier League win of the season, and push them one step closer to a first league title since 2004.

As for Man Utd, Erik ten Hag's side suffered their first competitive defeat in any competition since the 6-3 loss to Manchester City in early October.

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However, despite that impressive run of form, that has seen them climb up the Premier League table at an impressive rate of knots, Keane still thinks there are several issues with the Man Utd squad, naming four players who he doesn't believe deserve to be starters for the club.

What did Keane say?

Speaking on Sky Sports after Man Utd's loss to Arsenal, Keane said: “I think the last few days have been difficult - dropping points in the last minute at Crystal Palace and the defeat today, but that’s what the game does to you. Man Utd weren’t at their best but you think, could they have hung on for a draw? Take the point and move on.

“It goes back to where Man Utd have made progress, but then come the end of the game I'm looking at [Luke] Shaw still at left back, question marks over him, Wan-Bissaka, Fred’s back in midfield with [Scott] McTominay, and it’s as if you they haven't moved on from their problems of the past.

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“I’m not just blaming those players because it was a tough game and you have to give credit to Arsenal, but it’s a reality check. I've said it for the last few months, the last few weeks - I still think Man Utd are well short.

“I know we're missing an important player [Casemiro] today, but that's the game, you're going to be missing players. A squad like Man Utd’s should be able to deal with it, and then when the going got tough with 20 minutes to go, you're looking at the options off the bench and they weren’t great.

“So for all the money Man Utd have spent, they’re still well short and we saw that today against an Arsenal team that are obviously flying. They’re still behind Man City, too; I always felt Man Utd were certain to get top four and I think they'd be fine for that, and probably try and win a cup. But in terms of competing for league titles, they still have a little bit to go yet.”