Keane picks out four Man Utd players who Ten Hag must axe to overcome ‘problems from the past’

Roy Keane thinks four current Man Utd players prove that Erik ten Hag still has “problems from the past” to overcome over the next couple of months.

United fell to defeat on Sunday against Arsenal at the Emirates. The Red Devils went ahead through a great goal from Marcus Rashford but Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka netted to turn it around.

Lisandro Martinez’s header made it 2-2 but Arsenal pushed for a winner late on and Nketiah found the net for a second time to make it 3-2 near the end.

Arsenal maintained their lead until full-time to move five points clear at the top of the Premier League. This result leaves Man Utd 11 points adrift of the league leaders.

Man Utd have surpassed expectations this season, especially after they lost in convincing fashion against Brentford and Brighton in their first two league games under Erik ten Hag.

But Ten Hag has done a great job and United are arguably ahead of schedule as they look likely to qualify for the Champions League.

But Keane thinks their loss to Arsenal is a “reality check” for Man Utd. He has also suggested that Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Fred and Scott McTominay all need to be phased out.

“I think the last few days have been difficult with the dropping points last minute against Palace and the defeat today,” Keane told Sky Sports.

“So yeah that’s what the game does to you. United weren’t at their best but you think could they have hung on for the draw, taken a point and move on.

“But it goes back to where United made progress, but then come to 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.”

Wan-Bissaka was arguably at fault for Arsenal’s first goal as Nketiah was able to get in front of the defender to head home past David De Gea.

Speaking at half-time, Keane came out with his catchphrase as he encouraged Wan-Bissaka to “do your job”.

“It’s just his lack of awareness. It’s as if he can’t believe someone’s coming around the back of him, because he can see him, he just dozes off. A silly lack of concentration, considering we praise him saying he’s a good defender.”

Keane then added: “Of course, he [Wan-Bissaka] sees him [Nketiah]. You have to be aware of him, that’s his job, this is big boy stuff, these are big moments, do your job, go and attack the ball.”

Jamie Redknapp backed Wan-Bissaka but Keane was having none of it. He claimed that the United player is “not a good defender”.

“I really don’t see that. He’s obviously not great in possession going forward so people always tend to say he’s a really good defender, but I actually don’t think he’s a good defender.

“You can see that as well from the other goal, I think he needs to do a lot better. I look at him over the last few years and don’t see that big of an improvement for a full-back, which is such a huge position to play for Man United. I don’t see it.”

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