Speaking on ITV, Keane was critical of United’s recent home form, lamenting that the team lacked leadership to beat a Championship outfit. The 50-year-old player-turned-pundit said:
Keane added:
Manchester United exited the FA Cup in the fourth round following a penalty shootout defeat against Middlesbrough after a 1-1 draw. Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty in the first half before United took the lead after 25 minutes through Jadon Sancho. However, Boro equalised in the second half through Matt Crooks.
The Red Devils had numerous opportunities to reclaim the lead, with Bruno Fernandes missing an open goal. Keane said about that miss:
After failing to the break the deadlock in extra time, the game went to a penalty shootout where youngster Anthony Elanga produced the only miss among both teams.
Manchester United suffer another early exit in a domestic cup competition
Manchester United have been poor in domestic cup competitions this season. The Red Devils have been knocked out of both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in the early rounds.
Manchester United lost to West Ham United in the third round of the Carabao Cup earlier this season before suffering losing to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fourth round.
Following the Middlesbrough defeat, United’s realistic hopes of silverware this season are in the Champions League. In the Premier League, fourth-placed United trail league leaders Manchester City by almost 20 points.
Keane predicted the mood in the Manchester United dressing room after the FA Cup defeat:
United have advanced to the knockouts of the UEFA Champions League. The Red Devils will hope to recover quickly from the Middlesbrough defeat before taking on reigning La Liga winners Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16. The first leg of the tie is in Madrid on 23 February.
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