Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen has become the latest player to come in the firing line of Roy Keane.
United have had a dreadful start in the Premier League, managing just two wins in their opening seven games. Their form has not been any better in Europe, with the Red Devils failing to win any of their opening two games in the Europa League.
In particular, the 1-1 draw at home against FC Twente was a frustrating result, considering the difference in quality between the two sides.
Erik ten Hag handed Eriksen a start, partnering him alongside Manuel Ugarte in the middle of the park. The Dane started the game strongly and even got his name on the scoresheet in the 35th minute. However, the hosts gave away the control in the second half.
Twente capitalised on United’s lacklustre showing and equalised in the 68th minute through Sam Lammers.
Reflecting on the disappointing result, Eriksen told TNT Sports (via The Independent): “I think we are mostly disappointed as a team. I think, obviously we wanted more but in the end it was far from good enough.
“Being said also in the changing room they looked like they wanted it more than us and that can’t be right.”
Keane, who seldom minces words, slammed Eriksen for his comments. During the Stick to Football podcast, the former United captain said: “So he’s coming out after the game a couple of weeks ago and he actually said [they wanted it more].
“Even if you feel that and it hasn’t happened where you felt they wanted it more than you, you don’t bloody say it do you, you fool. Someone should get a grip of him and say ‘Why are you sending messages about us for?’”
Whether Eriksen should have said these things publicly or not is a topic of debate, but there is no doubt that the side’s mentality has been one of the biggest causes of concern during Ten Hag’s reign.
United regularly struggle to keep the opposition on the backfoot all game, and whenever there is any setback, they fold like a pack of cards.
Most recently against FC Porto, the visitors dominated the opening 25 minutes of the game, but as soon as Pepe scored the Portuguese outfit’s first goal, Ten Hag’s men lost their composure and blew their lead. In the end, they had to rely on Harry Maguire’s late header to salvage a point.
Feature image Stu Forster via Getty Images
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