Keane doubts Man Utd will crack top four under Amorim this season

Roy Keane does not believe Manchester United will get back into the top four of the Premier League this season under Ruben Amorim due to a “real lack of quality”.

The Red Devils legend was speaking after United started life among the Portuguese with a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town as Omari Hutchinson canceled out Marcus Rashford's opener in the second minute.

Keane acknowledged that Amorim must be given time to turn things around at Old Trafford, but does not see United getting into the top four this season.

“You have to give the man a chance,” Keane told Sky Sports. “But the threat in the future is a big problem for Man Utd. It's not good enough.

“Do I believe they have the quality to get them back into the top four? Absolutely not. The evidence isn't there. It's the same old stuff. Predictable and a real lack of quality.”

2 – Rúben Amorim is only the second permanent manager in Premier League history to see his side score within the first two minutes of his very first game in the competition, joining David Moyes at Everton in March 2002. Dreamland. pic.twitter.com/tQAFY0Kbov

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe” >@OptaJoe) November 24, 2024

United created 0.9 xG compared to Ipswich's 1.75 and had fewer shots on target (four) compared to Ipswich (six) at Portman Road.

They did have more touches in the opposition box (16 to 11), but had fewer entries in the final third (48 to 61) and created big chances (two to three).

Ipswich were extremely resilient opponents after their early setback, and Tractor Boys boss Kieran McKenna praised his side, especially Hutchinson after he grabbed his first Premier League goal.

“I thought he (Hutchinson) was a big threat in the first half, obviously more of a winger, but most teams are going to press us high and in the spaces in the middle of the pitch with a dribbler in the middle of the pitch. pitch that is elusive and difficult to pick up can be a big threat,” he told Sky Sports.

“I think it's his first goal in the Premier League. He'll be happy to have it behind him and he's going from strength to strength.”

“In the first half it was a blow to concede the early goal, but I thought as the half went on we grew in the dominance and the intensity of pressing and working on the ball.

“I thought we were the dominant team in the first half and deserved to at least play at a level. To be honest, Man Utd had more control in the second half. It was difficult, we had to defend with real discipline and form. “