It’s hard to argue with Roy Keane’s latest salvo of criticism aimed at Manchester United.
Speaking after the game, Keane hammered his old club on Sky Sports’ coverage:
“Man Utd are physically and mentally a weak team. Newcastle were too fast, too powerful and more determined. United couldn’t deal with the pace up front from the attacking players, and they got what they deserved.
“There was talk before the game on there being good signs for Man Utd and that they are getting better, but I can’t see it. I just saw another poor performance, especially in the second half.
“It’s not good enough and I worry for this group of players. they don’t look like a strong group mentally.”
One can’t really argue with that assessment looking back at a game where United were blown off the park, with the hosts recording a 2.09 xG to the visitors 0.61.
The Red Devils were deserved losers in a 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park, with Noussair Mazraoui one of several poor performers in the North East.
The bad news doesn’t end there either, as Joshua Zirkzee now looks almost certain to miss out on midweek action in the Europa League after picking up a hamstring injury.
Ruben Amorim responds to Manchester United criticism
Ruben Amorim refused to engage with criticism aimed at his side as defeat left the Reds in 14th place in the Premier League on equal points with Everton in 13th.
‘I don’t care’ the 40-year-old told Sky Sports, instead opting to encourage viewers to move on as he turned attention over to United’s upcoming Europa League clash with Lyon this week.
“I understand [the criticism] but I don’t care. Nothing is worse than losing games,” the Portuguese head coach said.
“People can say whatever they want to say. I don’t want to defend myself or anything like that because if you look at our position in the table, it says it all.
“Let’s move on. It’s really important on Thursday, so I don’t care what people say. Losing games is the hardest part by far in this job. Let’s focus on Thursday.”
🗣️ “I don’t care what people say!”
Ruben Amorim speaks about the criticism of his Manchester United side 🔊 pic.twitter.com/NM3W8lPN6s
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 13, 2025
Newcastle dominate the stats
How on earth is Ruben Amorim expected to salvage a positive message from such an appalling second-half showing?
The former Sporting Lisbon boss can hardly throw his players under the bus ahead of a season-defining clash with Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday. But boy, oh boy, would he be otherwise justified in doing so!
The Magpies were everything a club of Manchester United’s prestige should have been, with Sofascore’s statistical overview more than proving Roy Keane’s point:
- 5 big chances created (to United’s one)
- 37 touches in the opposing penalty area (to United’s 12)
All we can say is that we’re immensely fortunate the speed and ferocity of top six Premier League football isn’t necessarily always replicated on the European stage.
