Roy Keane has been silenced by Juan Mata, who produced a fine display against Brentford as Manchester United won 3-0 on Monday.
In United's final home game of the season, Mata was a surprise inclusion as Ralf Rangnick handed the Spaniard a rare start, and Keane was less than impressed before kick-off. As Mata is expected to leave in the summer, it was a touching send off for the Premier League great who got one final run out at Old Trafford.
But Keane wasn't a fan of Rangnick's gesture, as he slammed the mindset for taking a Premier League game so lightly. But Mata was just one of many United players that performed brilliantly against Brentford, leaving Keane to eat his words in the process.
Before United's final home match of the season, Keane questioned Rangnick's decision to start Mata as he criticised the mentality at the club. Keane said on Sky Sports: "I’m surprised. They knew he's leaving the club, the managers thought, a bit of loyalty, he’ll give him a run out.
"Coming on for 20 minutes and starting the game is a lot different. It tells you where the mindset is. I think they’re giving players a run-out for the wrong reasons."
But Mata put on a brilliant display at Old Trafford, and the Spaniard would have earned an assist if Cristiano Ronaldo had held his run by a fraction of a second. But the five-time Ballon d'Or winner did find the back of the net later on, as he converted from the spot after winning a penalty in the second half.
It may have been a poor season for United, but they at least gave the home fans something to cheer about during their final game at Old Trafford as Bruno Fernandes ended his goal drought, and Raphael Varane also scored his first goal for the club. But despite winning the match, Keane still wasn't impressed.
Ronaldo was named by Gary Neville as man of the match, and Keane used that as fuel to slam United once again. Keane added: "When you’re hanging your hat on a 37-year-old, that’s not good.
"As brilliant as Ronaldo is, United are too dependent on the strikers. Defensively, they’re not good enough. Midfield not good enough. Huge job for the new manager."
And despite questioning Rangnick's decision to start Mata on the left, he also criticised Marcus Rashford - who was the other obvious choice to occupy that role against Brentford. Keane said: "He seems short on confidence. I go back, I think he’s taken his eye off the ball, with all his off the field stuff.
"He’s got that experience, but he doesn't mix his game. Even when he’s playing through the middle, I said he plays like a child (against Liverpool ). It’s like he’s not learnt from the game.
"I think he’s lost the eye of the tiger and he’s struggling to get it back. I think the hunger, he’s got to get the hunger back and make runs like Elanga tonight. Rashford has lost that hunger which is huge for a player."
