ROY KEANE reckons Manchester United are still “well short” of where they should be for all the money spent.
And the former captain identified four players that prove the club “hasn’t moved on from the past”.
Keane, 51, was in the Sky Sports studio for United’s 3-2 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday.
Eddie Nketiah scored a dramatic 90th-minute winner – after Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli had tormented the Red Devils’ full-backs throughout the Emirates blockbuster.
Irishman Keane praised the Gunners as they regained their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
But he also remains unconvinced by a number of the players still in the United squad and that was exposed in the absence of the suspended Casemiro, despite spending £206million last summer.
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Keane referenced long-term strugglers £33m Luke Shaw, £50m Aaron Wan-Bissaka, £52m Fred and academy graduate Scott McTominay for his criticism.
He said: “United have made progress but at the end of the game, I’m looking at Luke Shaw still at left-back – there are question marks over him.
“Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Fred, Scott McTominay – it’s as if Manchester United haven’t moved on from the problems in the past.
“I’m not blaming them as it was a tough game, give credit to Arsenal. It was a reality check.
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“I still think United are well short.
“They were missing players today but a squad like United should be able to deal with it.
“Then when the going got tough you are looking at the bench and it wasn’t great.
“For all the money United have spent they are still well short.
“I think they are certs for top four, maybe win a cup but in terms of competing for league titles there is a bit to go.”
Shaw found himself constantly backing into the penalty area as his England team-mate Saka danced inside and out.
The left-back confessed the Red Devils did not do enough in the second half and “deserved” to lose in the end.
He said: “We were passive and let them control the game completely.
‘REALITY CHECK’
“To concede at the end is gutting but they are an extremely good side.
“We were fighting all the way to that last second – you need to concentrate for the entire game.
“It’s a bit of a reality check to where we are at the moment.”
It was on the other side, though, that Keane was particularly disappointed as he tore into Wan-Bissaka’s defending as Granit Xhaka crossed for Nketiah to head in for 1-1.
Keane added: “I don’t think he’s great going forward or in possession.
“People say he’s a really good defender – I actually don’t think he’s that good a defender and we saw that for the goal.
“He needs to do a lot better. He seems surprised.
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“This is big boy stuff, big moments. Do your job. Go and attack the ball.
“Looking at him over the last few years, I don’t see that improvement for a Manchester United full-back.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
