‘As bad as any team’ – Roy Keane blasts ‘fragile’ Man Utd display after first half horror show against Brighton
ROY KEANE believes Manchester United are “as bad as any team in the Premier League” after watching their first half horror show against Brighton.
Cristiano Ronaldo was a frustrated spectator after being benched by new boss Erik ten Hag in the Dutchman’s first competitive match in charge.
And after Bruno Fernandes missed an early sitter, the day soon began to turn from a dream into a nightmare as the Seagulls swept through the Red Devils defence.
Pascal Gross first silenced Old Trafford with the opening goal after half an hour.
And he doubled Brighton’s advantage just nine minutes later as home supporters booed their team off at the break.
Ex-United captain was working as a pundit for Sky Sports, and he did not hold back as he assessed his former side’s first half performance.
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Keane said: “Brighton have been excellent – let’s give them credit before we start criticising Manchester United.
“United look very, very fragile. It’s the same problems. Questions about the personality of the team and the big problem is, out of possession, they look so open.
“They started OK and had a great chance. Fernandes has to hit the target.
“But after that Brighton have been excellent and Man United, gaps everywhere and so open it’s untrue.”
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Keane added: “We shouldn’t be that surprised. We’ve spoken about the changes in the team and the personality of the new manager and of course he will need time.
“But I go back to the personalities in the team. The two in the middle of the park, all over the place.
“See for the goals, Fernandes and Eriksen, gaps all over.
“Out of possession, Man United are as poor as any team in the Premier League.
“I know it’s early days but I’m going back to the habits that they had last year. It’s well and good when you’re in possession, but when you’re out of it, it is just too open.”
Ronaldo came off the bench shortly after the restart, and despite an own goal giving United a chance, the superstar was unable to spark a comeback as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat.