Manchester United great Roy Keane felt the FA Cup victory over nine-men Fulham papered over some emerging cracks in Erik ten Hag's side.
United booked a Wembley semi-final against Brighton with a comeback victory at Old Trafford but only after Fulham conceded a penalty, shipped two goals and saw two players and the manager sent off in a mad five-minute period.
The Cottagers deservedly went in front when Aleksandar Mitrovic headed home in the second half. But Willian was then sent off after a VAR review for handling Jadon Sancho's effort on the line with visiting boss Marco Silva and goalscorer Mitrovic dismissed for their protests.
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Bruno Fernandes duly scored from the spot and moments later Marcel Sabitzer put United in front. Fernandes added a gloss to the scoreline with a late third but the lethargic United display left Keane concerned.
The former United midfielder, part of the ITV punditry team, feels recent performances have been below par and warned that a repeat against Brighton in the FA Cup semi-final would end in defeat.
"I have lost that little bit of confidence watching them," said the Irishman. "A month or two ago you thought 'yeah they are up for it' but the last few games I have seen they have a real habit - and I think it is okay to play in moments every now and again - but that seems to be their DNA.
"They have got into some real bad habits and they turned up today thinking 'we have quality players and we are going to win football matches.' If they turn up with that attitude for the semi-final, Brighton will beat them. It could give United a kick up the backside."
Despite the poor performance against Fulham and disappointing results in their last two Premier League games, United remain well-placed to finish in the top four and could yet add the FA Cup and the Europa League to the Carabao Cup triumph they secured earlier in the season. Brighton will provide a stiff test at Wembley in the last four with United playing away from Old Trafford for the first time in this season's competition following four successive home ties. And Keane feels luck has smiled on Ten Hag's side in the FA Cup this term.
"It is better to be lucky than good sometimes," he added. "The home draws have helped them. You need a bit of luck in cup competitions and United have certainly had their fair share this season.
"Obviously in the FA Cup the priority is getting to the next round but United, I still think their manager will be hugely disappointed with what he saw. Of course Fulham self-destructed but United were so poor, it was unbelievable."
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