Roy Keane has claimed that the root of Manchester United’s issues is their poor defensive record.
The Reds’ legend highlighted the ineffectiveness of Jose Mourinho’s backline as a key flaw in the current United side.
Speaking on Super Sunday (Sky Sports Premier League, Sunday December 16th, 12.30pm), the Irishman said: “It’s a worry because defensively I think they look really really short.
“I still think United have a lot of good players, I still think they’re capable of winning a lot of football matches, but in terms of winning the big prizes, they look short.
“Defensively they look so short, I’ve been part of really good teams, we talk about attacking players, but you need a solid back four. You need an outstanding goalkeeper.
“You need foundations to go on and United don’t look like they have that.”
OPINION
Roy Keane is right to identify United’s leaky defence as a key reason for their abysmal start to the season. Last year only Manchester City conceded fewer goals than them, but this time around only six teams have conceded more. It’s a puzzle that will baffle fans and management alike, but it’s not the only area that they must improve on. Going forward they look disjointed far too often, and frequently the whole side looks entirely disinterested. United should be challenging for a title, and yet they’ve never been further away despite the millions that they have spent in recent years. It’s difficult to see Jose Mourinho lasting beyond the end of the season, and if United finish outside of the top six it;s hard to see how he can justifiably keep his job. The club is in disarray and the divide that appears to have formed could well be irreparable.