Roy Keane has launched a destructive judgment about Manchester United, insisting that they are on their way to a disappointing Premier League campaign after they fell to defeat Arsenal.
The side of Ruben Amorim showed flashes of progress, with Mathus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko every opportunities in a reformed attack. But it was not enough to prevent a defeat of the opening day.
A 13th minute header from Ricardo Calafiori turned out to be decisive, where the Italian defender punished an expensive blunder of reserve goalkeeper Altay Bayindir to give Arsenal the three points.
Amorim hit an optimistic tone after the game and insisted that 'we were not boring' – a verdict that was quickly rejected by Keane.
“Yes, I think with the few signing sessions that came in and we saw today, I was encouraged,” the former United States. Captain said on Sky Sports.
'They looked like man United players, they were happy to deal with the pressure, they are good characters.
'But we have said it before, there are problems at the back. We have heard sounds that they are not boring, but in the end you have to score goals to win football matches or you are constantly under pressure.
“The expectations around the club are so low now that everyone is almost happy.”
Later, when he was asked to predict where his former club would end, he replied: “Midtafel-10e, maybe ninth.”
Arsenal's Calafiori was able to nod the winner home after Bayindir succeeded in beating the ball, but was unable to make it convincingly free, so that questions about the Turkish shot stop over his area – and Keane did not stop his criticism.
He said: 'If you are the goalkeeper, just take control of the six-year box.
'Keepers and defenders always complain. “Oh people are on my face.”
“Well, you get into their face. The goalkeeper has taken over control over that six-year box. Focus on the ball. Be aggressive.
“I often said it for a keeper. Come with violence, come and be aggressive. That is your area. Take control of it.
Arsenal is very good at it. But man United? Weak and soft. '