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Football

14th Jan 2024

Roy Keane quick to own his pre-match comments about Rasmus Hojlund

Patrick McCarry

MAN UNITED 2-2 TOTTENHAM

Roy Keane had no hesitation in reminding us all of his pre-match comments about Rasmus Hojlund, but showed the attitude that set his Manchester United side apart.

Ahead of United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham, at Old Trafford, Keane told Sky Sports that Hojlund should be scoring more for the club and ‘time was running out’ to convince he had what it takes.

Hojlund gave his response after only two minutes and 33 seconds, as he plundered his second straight goal in two league games. Following the game, Keane owned those comments. He stated:

“I said before the game, ‘How long do you have to wait for a player’ but, bang, he’s been good here.

“Man United over the years, the history of the club has been about attacking players… they need more lads stepping up today. The two lads [Rashford and Hojlund] did that today, and they need to keep it up.

“Hojlund should be in the background, at his age, coming on, playing the odd cup game and watching world-class strikers and learning his trade… he has come into a club that’s not on the up… as I said earlier, you can’t keep waiting for him. You may only get one or two opportunities and you have to take them.”

Keane was pleased with the goal-scoring effort from Marcus Rashford but sniped back at the forward believing he has been harshly criticised:

Tottenham gave Timo Werner his Spurs debut but were without a few frontliners for the match. United has Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro back in their squad but both were named as subs.

Manchester United opened the scoring after only two minutes when Rasmus Hojlund roofed a screamer that Vicario had no chance of stopping.

Richarlison equalised from a Spurs corner but Marcus Rashford, set up by Hojlund, restored the United lead before half-time.

Roy Keane was practically purring, at the break, as he described United’s attacking play as ‘beautiful, sexy football’. The former united captain would have been spitting feathers, though, less than 60 seconds into the second half when Rodrigo Bentancur rifled home an equaliser.

Roy Keane visits old dressing room

The 2-2 draw saw Tottenham remain 5th in the Premier League while the point earned for United saw them climb above Brighton into 7th.

Earlier in the day, at Old Trafford, Roy Keane had recalled his time at United when he joined Dave Jones and Jamie Redknapp in his old club’s dressing room (watch below) for a trip down memory lane.

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