Former midfielder Roy Keane has suggested that Manchester United's players are not giving their all for Ralf Rangnick due to his status as interim manager.
Keane made the admission after watching United lose 4-1 to cross-city rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Goals from Kevin De Bruyne (2) and Riyad Mahrez (2) sealed a comfortable win for City, who coasted their way to all three points.
United, following De Bruyne's fifth-minute opener, did get themselves back on level terms through an excellent goal from Jadon Sancho, at which point United fully deserved after an encouraging start. However, United were second-best in every department in the second half.
The Reds failed to lay a glove on City, so much so that they did not have a single shot after the break. Mahrez's first goal, which was an excellent volley, proved to be the final nail in United's coffin, with City dominating the ball and toying with their cross-city rivals from that moment.
With United having shown signs of being disinterested and displaying a lack of fight in the second half, Keane questioned whether or not the players are fighting for the badge under Rangnick.
"I think he always comes across honest," Keane told Sky Sports, reflecting on Rangnick's post-match interview. "Maybe he tried to be too clever today, but I think his hands are tied.
"He obviously knows his time is up in the summer and some of the players might be looking at him going 'you’re only here until the summer'."
Keane also conceded that he does not think United have improved since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked back in November. Rangnick has won eight of 18 matches in charge, losing two.
He added: "I don't think they've improved. Rangnick is trying to work with big egos and he wants to play a certain way, but the players don't like it. You've got a system that is trying to help United finish fourth."
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