Following Manchester United’s goalless draw with Sevilla on Wednesday night, BT Sport focused primarily on David De Gea.
The Spanish goalkeeper was, once again, United’s saviour, producing a truly world-class save to deny Sevilla in the Champions League last-16 tie. De Gea deserved praise, of course, but there was little mention from the pundits – Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes – of United’s poor performance.
As far as they were concerned, it was a decent result and United will finish the job at home next month. Plus, it’s not the pundits fault they weren’t really pushed to give their views on Jose Mourinho’s brand of football.
Roy Keane, who has clashed with Mourinho in the past, was on ITV’s highlights show later in the night, and many football fans would have expected him to offer a forthright view on the game.
Does Roy Keane have a point? pic.twitter.com/pViy5059WX
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOE_UK) February 15, 2018
After all, just last week, Keane was critical of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, despite both sides producing excellent performances in the Champions League. Spurs came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Juventus in Turin, outplaying the Italian champions, who hadn’t conceded a goal in 2018 before the game. The following night, Liverpool effectively booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 5-0 win away to Porto.
Yet, Keane focused on the failure of both clubs to win trophies in recent seasons.
“For a club the size of Liverpool and Tottenham, one trophy in 10 years is pretty embarrassing,” the former United and Republic of Ireland captain said.
“I know the Champions League has taken over now, particularly with the money behind it, but to be successful, to be a big club you need to win trophies… Clubs like Liverpool and Spurs should be able to qualify for the Champions League and win a League Cup or an FA Cup. These clubs should get to the knock-out stages of the Champions League and win an FA Cup or a League Cup as well. Of course they should, that should go hand in hand.”
After offering such scathing criticism of Spurs and Liverpool after brilliant performances, surely Keane would lay into his old team for their limp display away to Sevilla? No chance.
Keane seemed to absolve Mourinho of any blame for the turgid display, despite claiming that United were “playing as individuals.” The Ireland assistant manager said the team’s issues were a result of United being in a state of flux since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
You can watch Keane speak about United here:
