Roy Keane was complimentary of one Red before kick-off at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
To say Roy Keane is one of the harder-to-please Manchester United legends is an understatement. With the state the club’s in in comparison to his playing days, can you really blame him?
The Irishman pulled no punches in the aftermath of United’s 18th league defeat at the hands of Chelsea last night.
It was a narrow scoreline in a game they held more possession in, but the sheer lack of creativity, clinical finishing, or even the ability to string a few passes together on the attack had fans pulling their hair out over yet another dismal display.
How has losing become the norm for the 20-time champions?
Of course, the priority for Ruben Amorim and the players is Wednesday’s Europa League final. The stakes are even higher heading into the clash, given that the Red Devils and Tottenham Hotspur, who occupy 16th place and 17th place respectively, are trying to salvage something from their utterly calamitous campaigns.
It does beg the question, however, as to what the state of play will be with United should they suffer defeat in Bilbao. Spurs’ notorious trophy drought will be at the forefront of their minds throughout the contest, and they have beaten the Reds on three separate occasions this term.
Keane’s analysis – and surprise praise for Mason Mount
Keane’s post-match analysis of the night’s affairs was exactly how you’d expect. He claimed the side are ‘not really good at anything’, before adding: “If they don’t win [the UEL] next week, I think the days of everyone wanting to go to Manchester United are gone.”
Yet, perhaps surprisingly, he did single out one player for praise before the game got underway.
Mason Mount was given the nod to make just his seventh league start of 2024/2025 against his former club. It came eight days after his most emphatic outing in a United shirt when he scored a brace in a 28-minute cameo to ensure the club advanced past Athletic Bilbao in the EL semis.
“Clearly, the manager has a bit of time for him, he’s thrown him back in in the last few games. He looks like the old Mason Mount from a few years ago. He went to United at a difficult time – of course, the worst thing that can happen when you go to a new club is you picking up injury after injury and can’t get any rhythm in your game,” Keane said of United’s No.7.
“When Mount is at his best, I’m going back no more than a few years at Chelsea, he is an excellent player. He’s smart, he’s intelligent. But, of course, a bit like [Reece] James, where you get them injuries, it does knock you sideways and, hopefully, he can stay fit now. Not just for the next few games but for the next pre-season, and get 15, 20 games under his belt.”
“He looks like the old Mason Mount from a few years ago” 🗣️
Roy Keane on Mount’s recent form for Manchester United 👏 pic.twitter.com/aDwHeIkvO5
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 16, 2025
Footage courtesy of Sky Sports.
