Roy Keane claimed that Erik ten Hag’s ‘head is spinning’ with all the problems he faces at Manchester United, and called on the Dutchman to axe Bruno Fernandes as captain.
Keane was scathing after seeing his old club humbled by Manchester City in the Old Trafford derby as Ten Hag came under fire over his team selection and tactics.
‘He still wouldn’t have a clue what his best starting team is,’ Keane told Sky Sports. ‘His head is spinning with the problems he’s got at Man United.
‘Where do you start, where do you finish? Defensively and physically they look all over the place. He’ll have a sleepless night tonight.
‘City weren’t at their best but they’re just toying with United now. They’re on different levels.
Roy Keane (right) has urged Man United to strip Bruno Fernandes (left) of the club captaincy
Fernandes struggled to have an impact on the game as his side lost 3-0 to Manchester City
‘I do feel for the United players. They’re just short in every aspect — technically, tactically, physically they’re so off it. It’s a long way back for this team.’
Keane singled out Fernandes after United’s 3-0 defeat, saying the Portugal midfielder’s body language was the ‘opposite to what you want in a captain’.
He added: ‘The first thing I would do is take the captaincy off him. I know it’s a big decision but Fernandes is not captain material.
‘He’s a talented player, but what I saw today, he’s whingeing, he’s moaning, he’s throwing his arms up in the air constantly.
‘It really isn’t acceptable. When you’re talking about where do they make changes – board level, managers – I’d start with that because the manager is capable of doing that.
‘Fernandes is a brilliant footballer but he’s the opposite to what you want in a captain.’
Jamie Carragher questioned why United are showing no signs of improvement under Ten Hag.
‘We’re into his second season and none of us can explain what United try to do in terms of how they play,’ he said.
‘We’ve seen Unai Emery come in at Aston Villa, we’ve seen Ange Postecoglou come in at Tottenham. When you go to their games, you know what you’re going to see. You don’t know what you’re going to see with United.’
Fernandes was only appointed club captain in the summer in place of Harry Maguire (pictured)
Keane also suggested that off-the-field ownership issues continue to plague on-field events
Gary Neville criticised Ten Hag for sending on Mason Mount for Sofyan Amrabat at half-time, which meant playing Christian Eriksen alongside Scott McTominay in defensive midfield.
‘That was brave, if not a little bit reckless,’ said Neville. ‘He went too early. He opened up his midfield and got exposed. I don’t think it was a great day for his substitutions.
‘That performance in the second half was appalling. It wasn’t a contest. It became a shambles.
‘Changing the manager? Absolutely not. But there’s no doubt he is having issues. He has been here 18 months and none of us can explain what United try to do. They play underdog football.
‘My anger isn’t with Ten Hag. I don’t think he is the fundamental problem. The toxicity at this club is eating alive every manager and every player that comes here.’
