Roy Keane says Manchester United are still "not good enough" under Ruben Amorim after their goalless derby draw with Man City - and says he has been "kicking cups of tea over" watching them recently.
United were marginally the better side against Pep Guardiola's team - giving City all sorts of problems on the counter-attack - but ultimately a lack of goal threat let them down.
This past week, Amorim's side have lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest due to Anthony Elanga's solo goal and looked flat up front once again against City.
This is despite claims that United have turned a corner following four points from six against Arsenal and Leicester in March - as well as victory over Real Sociedad in the Europa League last 16.
"I know United beat Leicester and Real Sociedad - but you look at the last few games and you go: this is not enough, this is not good enough," said Sky Sports' Keane after the City game.
"Forget the United teams I played for, forget the top three or four teams, competing with Brentford, Crystal Palace, Fulham and Wolves? Are you telling me Manchester United should be behind them?
"The majority of these players should be doing better than the teams I just mentioned."
United created an xG of 0.92 against City but did not have the killer touch in the Manchester derby. Alejandro Garnacho had the best of the first-half chances but failed to convert from close range, while Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee went close after the break.
Zirkzee replaced Rasmus Hojlund after the hour mark, with the Danish forward having just 15 touches of the ball and going another Premier League game without a shot.
"United can still be more of a goal threat," added Keane. "The couple of strikers they have at the club are not good enough for Man Utd, but there are other players on the team. There are wide players, defenders can score goals, there are set-pieces.
"The goal they gave away at Forest the other day, you have an opposition player running 70 or 80 yards. Yes you can say it's a great run and great goal - but someone's got to tackle him. Have a desire to dig deep and get a result!
"It has to come from the manager and the staff, the certain leaders they have in the dressing room. I'm not saying they all have to be like that - but they have experienced players there. Maguire, Casemiro, Fernandes - do they get a grip of these players?
"Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once ran 70 to 80 yards to chase someone down and got sent off. They made sacrifices for the team. The sacrifices for the attacking players could be making a run, making a good ball out of a bad ball.
"I see the United team today: they're all applauding and they're being interviewed and they said, 'draw is not too bad.' A draw gets you nowhere fast! It was the same against Arsenal a few weeks ago."
'I was kicking my cups of tea over Man Utd'
In terms of where United go from here, Keane believes he "doesn't see" Amorim's side being part of the top six next season as they are not showing the necessary mentality to go and win football matches.
"I'd like to be proven wrong and United are in the top five or six next season and would take it all back, but I don't see it," said the former United captain.
"I've seen a few live games lately. I saw Forest the other night, I was kicking my cups of tea over. They were neat and tidy - but were never going to score. No goals again today.
"When you're playing for a big club and getting big contracts, you have a responsibility to win football matches. Is that what we're here for?
"We've been praising Liverpool for the last few months. Why? Because they're being clinical and winning football matches. So when we sit here and go, 'I'm getting fed up of this, but there are signs'. Signs of what?"
Keane also took issue with the term "philosophy" - saying he would never have used that in his career.
"The manager is going to stick with it," said Keane of Amorim. "That's the gamble he's taking.
"If he's not getting football results, we're talking about next year when he will no doubt get an opportunity to get players in the summer, we will be able to judge him better.
"That's his belief, his philosophy and that's fine. But I like the philosophy of winning football matches. I like that philosophy.
"I don't ever remember sitting with the players I played with - and some decent players and other clubs such as Forest and brilliant managers - where we discussed our philosophy.
"We would find different ways to play. United tried to play out the back and got caught a couple of times. I don't like that. There are times for it.
"If they were going down that road and they were picking up results and scoring plenty of goals, but I don't see it. My eyes don't lie to me."
Neville: Man Utd need five new players!
Meanwhile, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville believes United need five new players in the summer transfer window - which would be Amorim's first in charge of the club.
Neville reckons United's defensive performance against City - which is similar to other low blocks the Portuguese has used since moving to Old Trafford - is a result of the United head coach not having the necessary players.
"From a United perspective, I get why he's gone deep, I get why he's gone back into a low block," said Neville.
"But that's what we've seen from Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag, they've all come in with the intention of playing high-press, high-energy football, but all end up going back to a low block in big games.
"I do understand why Ruben Amorim's done that today, with the players he's got, because he hasn't got the players to adapt. They need five new players straightaway before you even think about the rest of it.
"The three up front are not good enough, the two behind and the one, and the two wing-backs, they're not good enough.
"They need five players, they need to serve him with five players who are good enough in this system to be able to play his system the way he wants."
Gberto
0
Keane is just simply speaking the truth. Don't look if he can manage or not , or if he was a good manager or not. The question ⁉️ is can Man United challenge the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal if the keep on playing without scoring goals?
kofikudoli
0
I always say British sports personalities are the reason soccer is so difficult nowadays. They are so stupid and when you give them the chance to coach they mess things up. Which British coach has been under the limelight with a big team in the past 10 years? Amorim is doing his best. The team packs a lot of quality players. Hjoland is not a stroker that should be leading Man United. The team obviously has a lot of loopholes so he should shut up and allow the guy to work. Arteta has been at Arsenal for more than 5 years but nothing concrete to show. always bottling the league. Amorim is one of the few coaches who gets the better of Guardiola.
I understand you but the guy is not good enough for to lead this United front line. I wonder why United is following strikers like Osimhen cos trust me no matter how bad the team is Osimhen can do something better. In football anything can happen but he is a top class striker
Wizprince11
0
Another record coming again Sack a Netherland Coach who won FA Cup Van Gaal Hire a Portuguese coach who won Europa Jose Mourinho Another One again Sack a Netherland Coach Who won FA Cup Eric Ten Hag Now Hire a Portuguese coach who his plan B to Win Europa Rube Amorim
gm11
0
Kean cannot even manage women team
He got Sunderland from bottom of the table, to the top and won the championship with Sunderland. Most ex players haven't been promoted never mind winning the championship.
gm11
0
Man Utd is level C team, that's where they belong, to be sincere. You toxic legends are the cause of their struggle.
Yeah and arsenal are getting what they deserve this season no cups, it's different for arteta he won nothing as a player so winning nothing each season is Normal, are legends won everything, destroyed childhoods and left us with great memories. Now they have to watch the worse united squad in history ruin everything they helped built.
gm11
0
Sensible Manchester United fans accept the fact that the team is not at the desired standard, what people like Roy fail to take note of is that Ruben adopted a dilapidated team which he needs to refresh. By the look of things, once Ruben gets some of the players he needs, the team will improve.
But Roy ain't wrong tho he hasn't improved the squad in any way shape or form. Ten hag did he got us one the best defensive records in Europe, won 2 cups and actually improved the team, he just got unfair treatment. Ruben so far looks alot worse than ten hag. As Keane said himself his EYES DON'T LIE TO HIM my eyes don't lie either we haven't improved atall, Ruben is using a system he knows the players can't play but continues to play it, that's what has me confused. He should use a 4-2-3-1 until the end of the season then implement his system next season with players he actually wants.
gm11
0
I always say British sports personalities are the reason soccer is so difficult nowadays. They are so stupid and when you give them the chance to coach they mess things up. Which British coach has been under the limelight with a big team in the past 10 years? Amorim is doing his best. The team packs a lot of quality players. Hjoland is not a stroker that should be leading Man United. The team obviously has a lot of loopholes so he should shut up and allow the guy to work. Arteta has been at Arsenal for more than 5 years but nothing concrete to show. always bottling the league. Amorim is one of the few coaches who gets the better of Guardiola.
Hojlund literally gets put through on goal twice a season. Out of all the strikers in the prem he gets put through on goal less than them all. We have a midfield that ain't creative enough to put him through on goal, garnacho never passes or crosses instead he loses the ball alot and ruins many chances for are striker to score, if he releases the ball quicker and trys getting the striker goals he be a far better player, but unfortunately he looks up to Ronaldo so goals and headlines is more important than getting us wins.
gm11
0
Roy kean,which team or club have you coach and succeed,please respect your self look at yourself before you criticized other all ex united players talk too much none of them have succeeded as a coach who mentions one?
He won the championship with Sunderland. While they finished near the bottom the season before.
Tiyabmnops
0
Who said or thinks they are good considering our league position and unpredictable performances we having this season ?
Nezbdisyz
0
Roy kean,which team or club have you coach and succeed,please respect your self look at yourself before you criticized other all ex united players talk too much none of them have succeeded as a coach who mentions one?
Wasciktz
1
United have become a mid table team
kofikudoli
0
Sensible Manchester United fans accept the fact that the team is not at the desired standard, what people like Roy fail to take note of is that Ruben adopted a dilapidated team which he needs to refresh. By the look of things, once Ruben gets some of the players he needs, the team will improve.
Thank you bro. a sensible comment for once. Watching the match today I was impressed. The identity is there but a lot of work needs to be done and new players as well. United weren't entirely bad today
kofikudoli
1
I always say British sports personalities are the reason soccer is so difficult nowadays. They are so stupid and when you give them the chance to coach they mess things up. Which British coach has been under the limelight with a big team in the past 10 years? Amorim is doing his best. The team packs a lot of quality players. Hjoland is not a stroker that should be leading Man United. The team obviously has a lot of loopholes so he should shut up and allow the guy to work. Arteta has been at Arsenal for more than 5 years but nothing concrete to show. always bottling the league. Amorim is one of the few coaches who gets the better of Guardiola.
truthisbitter
1
Portuguese coaches don't know any other systems apart from parking bus!!!
MogomotsiNlebgwa
3
Sensible Manchester United fans accept the fact that the team is not at the desired standard, what people like Roy fail to take note of is that Ruben adopted a dilapidated team which he needs to refresh. By the look of things, once Ruben gets some of the players he needs, the team will improve.
Detbcenou
0
The fact is the team is finished now.
malablata
1
Man Utd is level C team, that's where they belong, to be sincere. You toxic legends are the cause of their struggle.
Woyabdinpy
0
let him cum and coach Manchester United
Yuwprtuy
2
Kean cannot even manage women team
chukwuka29
3
like seriously,,..... 🤷 I don't understand how people think, they thought that being a coach in a big club is very easy...🤷🤷😏😏💔💔💔🤷🤷
AdedayoThomas
2
This guy’s are mad expecially that keane
Rizzy4k
1
red card for man united n Tottenham this season