Roy Keane has not held back his frustration with Manchester United’s recent performances, singling out Diogo Dalot for a glaring miss against West Ham United that, according to Keane, epitomizes the team’s struggles in front of goal.
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United’s 2-1 defeat at the London Stadium marked the end of Erik ten Hag’s tenure, with the Dutchman dismissed soon after.
In the match, Dalot had a clear scoring chance when he broke through one-on-one with Lukasz Fabianski, only to send his effort high above the goal, despite having an open net in front of him.
Keane, speaking on Sky Sports, questioned the quality of Dalot, stating, “People keep telling me he’s a good player. But hit the target – these are big chances, and they’re supposed to be top-quality players.”
United’s scoring woes have been evident, with only nine goals in 10 Premier League games, a tally that leaves them among the lowest scorers this season alongside Southampton and Crystal Palace.
Keane remarked that these missed opportunities, including Dalot’s, ultimately led to Ten Hag’s departure, as more accurate finishing could have helped the manager retain his position.
Reflecting on Bruno Fernandes’ apology to Ten Hag after his sacking, Keane dismissed it as too little, too late. “These are always awkward interviews,” Keane said.
“But saying ‘sorry’ doesn’t change much; you’re judged by your actions on the pitch. I don’t think Bruno has shown the leadership needed, especially in tough moments. Players need to take more responsibility, and Fernandes, as captain, could have done more to support his manager.”
Keane’s critique extended to the mentality within the team, observing that players often move on quickly when a manager departs, focusing on adjusting to whoever takes charge next.
He added, “Many players are selfish and look out for themselves, and that’s part of the game. But in times like these, true leaders need to emerge, and unfortunately, I don’t think Bruno showed enough of that in recent weeks.”
As United grapples with finding form under new management, Keane’s words serve as a stark reminder of the expectations for leadership and quality at the club.