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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jonathan Gorrie

Roy Keane reveals why he 'kind of gave up' on Manchester United after dressing room noises

Roy Keane has blasted Manchester United's performance levels in their recent draw with FC Twente.

Erik ten Hag's side began their Europa League campaign in disappointing fashion last month with a 1-1 draw against his former club, after which Christian Eriksen suggested the Dutch side "wanted it more."

"The players came out after the match and are going, 'I think they wanted it more than us'. I kind of gave up at that stage," said former United skipper Keane on Sky Sports' Stick To Football Podcast.

"If that's the noise coming out of the dressing room, then no wonder the manager is in trouble."

United have made their worst start to a Premier League season since 1989-90 after winning two of their first seven games, which has left them 14th in the table.

Fellow club legend Gary Neville, meanwhile, has denied he is an "inside man" at United after he attended a meeting at Old Trafford to discuss the stadium's regeneration.

Neville said: "I'm not on the inside of it, no I'm not.

Under pressure: Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United is frequently discussed (Getty Images)

"I went on Monday to meet them about the regeneration side."

When pressed on whether footballing matters were discussed, Neville added: "Not at all."

Ten Hag has come under huge pressure again after United's poor performances and Keane said on the podcast that he has not considered the possibility of replacing the Dutchman because he has not been asked.

When TV pundit Ian Wright asked Keane if he would consider stepping in at Old Trafford, Keane said: "Who, me? They're not going to be asking me. They just wouldn't. It's not going to happen.

"The only time you can answer a question about would you walk in there? Would you walk in at Celtic? Would you walk in at a different company? It's when you're asked."

They agreed that one of the key factors was the players' collective lack of desire.

Wright added: "Yeah, but where are they going to get it from, Roy?

"Who's going to turn (things) around if it's not someone like yourself?

"All those things that need to be instilled, need to be instilled by people who were there.

"Are we supposed to think that United are going to get a new manager in and all of a sudden that's all going to click into place?"

Wayne Rooney also appeared on the podcast and lamented United's display in the recent 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham.

He said: "Something needs to change and I'm not saying that's purely the manager, but the performances and the lack of desire when you watch the players, it's crazy.

"I was there at the Tottenham game and that's as bad as I've seen in Old Trafford for a long, long time."

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