Man United went through a glitvch as they lost 3-2 to league leaders Arsenal on Sunday, losing out on the opportnityu to move up a slot to third place.
Former United captain Roy Keane was critical of the performance of four United players after the Reds defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening as Erik Ten Hag’s side conceded in the 90th minute, losing 3-2 to the Gunners when Eddie Nketiah scored from close range in the final few minutes of the game to earn the home side an important three points.
The result leaves the Red Devils in fourth position in the Premier League table.
In-form Marcus Rashford helped United surge ahead when he opened the scoring for the away side in the first period, but an alert Nketiah got Arsenal level before the break. Ithe Gunners then went 2-1 up through Bukayo Saka, but United bounced back well when Lisandro Martinez got a header into the back of the net.
In the final concluding minutes of the clash, Nketiah netted the winner for Arsenal by deflecting Martin Odegaard’s effort past David de Gea. There was a brief VAR check for offside, but the goal was given.
Post-match, former United captain Keane lambasted several United players for their performances against the Gunners, suggesting that it could be a reality check for the team. The United legend was particularly critical of defender Scott McTominay who was the stand-in for the suspended Casemiro. The Irishman was also critical of defenders Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bisaka and Fred.
“I think the last few days have been difficult with the dropping points last minute against Palace and the defeat today, so yeah, that’s what the game does to you,” Keane said on Sky Sports.
“United weren’t at their best but you think could they have hung on for the draw, take a point and move on, but it goes back to where United made progress, but then come the end of the game Shaw’s still at left-back – question marks over him – Wan-Bissaka, Fred’s back in midfield, McTominay – as if United haven’t moved on from their problems of the past.
“I’m not just blaming them players because it was a tough game and you’ve got to give credit to Arsenal, but it is a reality check. I’ve said it the last few weeks, United are well short. We were missing an important player today but that’s the game, United should be able to deal with it, and when the going got tough and you’re looking at the options off the bench, it wasn’t great.
“For all the money United spent, they’re still well short, and we saw that today in a game against an Arsenal team who are flying. I was always certain Man United would be going for top four, I think they’ll be fine for that, try and win a cup, but in terms of competing for league titles they’ve a bit to go yet.”