Man Utd news: ‘They’re not really good at anything’ – Roy Keane savages poor Red Devils
Manchester United lost 1-0 at Chelsea on Friday to continue what has been a torrid season, leading former captain Roy Keane to declare that “they’re not really good at anything”.
Marc Cucurella scored the only goal of the game in the 71st minute as Chelsea moved a step closer to Champions League football next term.
United, on the other hand, remain a scarcely believable 16th in the Premier League standings, one place above Tottenham, who they meet in the Europa League final on Wednesday.
Sports News Blitz writer Michael Davey reports on the fallout from the loss at Stamford Bridge.
Red Devils’ poor season laid bare
By all accounts, United have had a historically poor campaign, breaking all kinds of the wrong records.
With one game to go, against high-flying Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday, they have already lost 18 matches this season – the most since the club was relegated in 1973-74.
Bad results are one thing, but the Red Devils have been equally terrible on the pitch, failing to score in the first half of 26 league games as the Ruben Amorim era has failed to spark into life.
It all comes down to the Europa League final, then, with the winner at San Mamés securing – completely undeserved – back-door qualification for the Champions League next season.
READ MORE: Europa League news: The only hope for Manchester United’s torrid season rests on the Europa League
Keane savages struggling United team
Speaking after the loss to Chelsea, Keane was unequivocal about his thoughts on Amorim and co.
“You sit up and watch certain teams, and you hang your hat on something,” he said. “You say they're really technically very good, they're fit, they're brilliant, they're good at set-pieces.
“You look at United and go ‘they're not really good at anything’.”
The outspoken pundit continued: “If they don't win [the Europa League final] next week, I think the days of everyone wanting to go to Manchester United are gone. I don't think there'll be players looking to sign for Manchester United. That's gone, that bit of excitement with the club.
“I don't think the United fans are angry anymore. It's just an acceptance. Even the manager's interview there, he's accepting where they are.
“Now, obviously, you have to be realistic, but you still want to show emotion and a bit of anger. I think United fans will be going back up the motorway to Manchester tonight going: 'Oh, that's what we thought would probably happen.' And that's a sad thing to do.
“And more importantly, I don't think the players believed they could come and win tonight.”
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Europa League or bust, says Neville
Ahead of that Europa League final on Wednesday, fellow pundit – and former Red Devil – Gary Neville has warned that the outcome could impact United and Tottenham for the foreseeable future.
“There’s a lot at stake for both managers, both clubs. It really does impact the next two to three years for these clubs,” he said on The Gary Neville Podcast.
“They need investment into their teams, and if they don’t get this Champions League money there’s going to be a lot less investment, which means they might not finish in the Champions League next season, and you’re bumping the problem more down the road.
“It’s huge on Wednesday. I won’t look forward to it being a United fan.”
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