Roy Keane, the former Manchester United midfielder and now a Sky Sports pundit, voiced strong criticism following Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday.
Keane’s analysis was particularly pointed toward United’s defensive errors and lackluster individual performances, focusing on Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot.
Keane expressed frustration at an incident involving Martinez, who he felt was fortunate to avoid being sent off for a reckless challenge on Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.
The tackle caught attention due to Palmer’s exceptional skill in the lead-up, which Keane noted made Martinez appear foolish.
Discussing the moment with Sky Sports, Keane remarked, “He’s a lucky boy. Honestly.
He won’t be happy that Palmer made him look foolish—it was a brilliant piece of skill. The tackle itself was dangerous, a nasty one.
He was fortunate not to catch Palmer fully, as it was more down the side of his leg. But had he been shown a red card, I’d have no argument against it.”
Supporting Keane’s sentiments, fellow pundit and Chelsea icon Frank Lampard weighed in, suggesting that Martinez’s challenge warranted more severe punishment.
Lampard commented, “It’s a red card for the intention alone.
He makes proper contact and knew he was late, deciding to leave a mark on Palmer.”
Martinez’s aggressive play earned him a yellow card during the match, sparking debate on whether stricter action should have been taken.
Keane’s criticisms, however, extended beyond Martinez.
He also highlighted Diogo Dalot’s poor showing, especially focusing on missed opportunities that proved costly. Keane said, “You have to get through to these players.
They need to hit the target when they get these chances.
Dalot missed one last week, and I’m still being told he’s a quality player. If you want to help your manager secure his position, you have to convert those chances.”
The Irishman’s assessment wasn’t just limited to individual performances; he addressed the broader issues plaguing the current United team.
Keane pointed out that new managerial appointments, such as Ruben Amorim’s expected role, might face significant challenges if fundamental problems aren’t resolved.
He noted, “Amorim should have secured a longer-term contract.
This team has a long road ahead. Statistically and performance-wise, they are just average.”
Keane lamented the unpredictable nature of United’s displays, saying, “We’re always repeating the same concerns.
You never know what to expect from them—it’s so inconsistent.
Calling them boring might be harsh, but it’s not far off. The game did open up towards the end, but overall, it was just flat and uninspired.”
The criticism underscored the stark reality for United’s squad: their struggle to find consistency, a clear style of play, and crucially, the ability to score goals regularly.
Keane concluded, “This team lacks any standout qualities.
The inability to score goals is hard to believe and shows just how far off they are from being a top side.”
