Rooney blasts Ten Hag as Keane admits he has 'GIVEN UP' on Man Utd

Suraj Radia

• 10 Oct 2024 17:00 BST
• 2 min read

Roy Keane has admitted that Erik ten Hag’s management has made him ‘give up’ with Manchester United, while Wayne Rooney questioned the Dutchman’s decision making in recent times.

Ten Hag has come under increasing pressure with United sitting 14th in the Premier League after seven games, winning just twice, while also struggling the Europa League.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ ‘Stick to Football’ programme, Keane explained United’s dismal 1-1 draw with FC Twente was the final straw for him, leading to his belief that the Red Devils are ‘going backwards’.

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Keane said: “When you've got players coming out and saying 'I think they might have wanted it more than us'. I kind of gave up at that stage. If that's the noises coming out of the dressing room, then no wonder the manager is in trouble and no wonder they're not going to win football matches. But that's where United are - it's hit and miss.”

He continued: “United was always about good people and good characters who could deal with playing for the club, but I don't see that now. I don't recognise this team and I don't recognise the club.

"People a couple of months ago were saying they've got new people coming on board and they'll have all the answers. They've spent more money on recruitment but they've gone backwards.”

Rooney hits out at Ten Hag decisions

Keane’s sentiments were echoed by Rooney, who was critical of Ten Hag’s decision to sub off Marcus Rashford at half-time during United’s 3-3 draw with FC Porto despite the forward opening the scoring.

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Rooney said: “Some of the changes he is making, you never see top teams changing their centre-backs during the game, or the back four, and that happens on a regular basis.

“The Rashford one, that was the best I've seen him play for a long time and to take him off at half-time and say ‘we've got another game at the weekend’ is crazy.

“I guarantee on this international break you see videos of him training with a coach away from the training ground - so if he can't do two games in a week, he should have been resting.”