Manchester United has not made any progress under Ruben Amorim and it is unlikely that it will challenge the top six of the Premier League next season, former Captain Roy Keane believes.
United played a lukewarm 0-0 draw on Sunday with Buren Manchester City, a result that leaves them 13th in the table with 38 points.
They are closer to the 17th placed wolves, which are six points behind him, then at the top half, with Bournemouth 10th at 45.
Since Amorim took the lead in November, United has not scored in eight Premier League matches. Only Leicester City, who appear to be destined for relegation, did not receive more often during that period (12 times).
United only hit the target with two of their 13 shots against an under-par city side, creating opportunities at only 0.91 expected goals (XG).
And while Keane appreciates that Amorim will stay with his favorite 3-4-3 system for the long term, he does not believe that they have shown signs that a revival is imminent.
“I would like to be proven incorrectly and United States will be in the top five or six next season and I would take it all back, but I don't see it,” said Keane Sky Sports after the city match.
“I have seen a few live games lately. I saw the other night forest, I kicked my cups of tea. They were neat and tidy, but would never score. No goals again today.
“The manager will stay there. That is the gamble he takes. He will undoubtedly get the chance to get players in the summer, then we will be able to judge him better.
“I never remember that I was with the players with whom I played where we discussed our philosophy. We would find different ways to play.
“If they picked up that road and they picked up results and scored many goals, fine, but I don't see it. My eyes don't lie to me.”
Since Amorim's first game, a 2-2 draw in the city of Ipswich in November, United has only collected 23 points from 20 Premier League matches.
Only Southampton (six), Leicester (Zeven), Ipswich (12) and Tottenham (21) picked up fewer points at that time. The 25 goals of United in that period are less than everyone, but Leicester (11), Southampton (16), Ipswich (19), West Ham (22) and Everton (23).
Keane believes that there is enough quality in the United team to do it better and to add it: “I know that United Leicester and Real Sociedad defeated, but you look at the last few games and you go: this is not good enough.
“Forget the United teams for which I played, forget the top three or four teams, they compete with Brentford, Crystal Palace, Fulham and Wolves …
“Do you tell me that Manchester United should be behind them? The majority of these players should do better than the teams I just mentioned.”
Keane's former teammate Gary Neville is of the opinion that they need at least five new players before visible progress will be made.
He has chosen Rasmus Hojlund – who has one goal in his last 16 league matches – and colleagues appetitors Joshua Zirkzee and Alejandro Garnacho as players who have to be replaced.
“I understand why Ruben Amorim did that today, with the players he has, because he did not have the players adjusted,” Neville said about United's cautious approach.
“They need five new players before you even think about it. The three at the front are not good enough, or the two wingbacks.
“They must be of service to him with five players who are good enough in this system to be able to play the way he wants.”
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