Roy Keane had taken aim at Manchester United‘s struggling centre forward Rasmus Hojlund after another difficult performance against Chelsea.
United suffered defeat in their last game before their crucial Europa League final clash with Tottenham on Wednesday, meaning they have won just two points in the league since the start of April – the fewest of any side.
That includes five defeats in their last six games and they have slipped to 16th in the top flight table – propped up only by the three promoted teams and Tottenham.
The final in Bilbao could offer a get out of jail free card for Ruben Amorim, but things are looking bleak with the Portuguese already casting doubt over his future and a potential loss on Wednesday resulting in one of the worst seasons in the club’s history.
A number of players have contributed to the side’s struggles this season, but a number of fans and pundits alike have pointed to the poor form of Rasmus Hojlund, who has scored just four goals in 31 Premier League matches this term after costing his side £72million two years ago.
And former United skipper Keane didn’t hold back in his analysis of the star after United’s latest defeat. He picked out the forward for particular criticism, and appeared to release some built-up frustration.
Roy Keane has given a brutal assessment of £72million Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund (pictured)
Keane (pictured) argued Hojlund ‘looked like he had just come out of the academy’ in the defeat by Chelsea
United suffered their fifth defeat in their last five league games at Stamford Bridge on Friday
‘They have got no striker,’ Keane began on Sky Sports. ‘Hojlund tonight, he looked like the young kid from Chelsea (Tyrique George).
‘He looked like he had just come out of the academy. His runs weren’t right, his timing, his hold-up play. Again, if you’re a striker playing for Man United… even for the whole team, one shot on target?’
When presenter Dave Jones asked if he could be better with ‘more quality around him,’ Keane replied: ‘We keep making excuses for him. We talk about confidence, but you still think, when you’re a striker, you have to make something happen sometimes.
‘What the big clubs have – and what United have always had – is strikers who can produce something for themselves even if they’re not getting great service. They produce something because they have quality, a bit of determination, a bit of experience, football intelligence. We don’t see that with Hojlund.
‘His side are up against it all the time. Obviously he needs a little bit of support, but, my goodness, sometimes you have just got to do a little bit better.’
United fielded a reasonably strong side five days out from the Europa League final, with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Andre Onana all starting the match.
They were again lacklustre in their showing, however, and no one was safe from Keane’s criticism. Just months ago, the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho were considered untouchable. They too have suffered drop offs, however, and Keane took aim at them too.
Asked who he would keep at the club, Keane said: ‘Truthfully, you’re not going to get [rid] of everyone. People like Bruno…
Ruben Amorim’s side have picked up just two league points since the start of April – the fewest of any Premier League team
Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho (centre) and Kobbie Mainoo (right) were once considered to be the future of United
Hojlund has four goals in 31 Premier League appearances this season – Keane argued he is ‘not good enough’
Forward Garnacho, meanwhile, is ‘kind of immature’ according to the Sky Sports pundit
Keane also argued that Mainoo ‘was strolling around the place and delivered some ‘sloppy passes’ in the Chelsea defeat
‘There’s talk about Garnacho, you look at Maguire. New players need time to settle. I wouldn’t be hanging my hat on them. Mainoo comes on tonight, I watched him closely, he is strolling around the place. Some of his passes were sloppy.
‘Garnacho is kind of immature. He has little moments, but doesn’t do enough. You want players for big clubs who turn up week in, week out. He doesn’t do that. He has got a bit of talent, he makes some good runs and threatens in behind and on his good day you like what you see. But he has got too many bad days.
‘Hojlund, in his defence, I think should have been a back-up striker. Third or fourth choice, and learn his trade off some brilliant strikers. He is not good enough. He is lacking in confidence and belief and he is not surrounded by brilliance either. If people think they can fix that in one summer, it is not going to happen.’
Pretty much all of United’s season hangs on Wednesday night, where Amorim will look to win his first trophy with United since taking over from Erik ten Hag earlier on this season.
Lose, and their disaster of a season will be complete, with a potential 17th-place finish in the Premier League and no trophy a serious possibility.
Their opponents on Wednesday, meanwhile – Tottenham – also lost on Friday night – 2-0 against Aston Villa – as they heavily rotated their side.
