Roy Keane lightheartedly teased Harry Maguire following his influence in Manchester United’s victory over Athletic Bilbao during the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.
In the match held last Thursday, United triumphed 3-0 over the team from the Basque region, seizing control of the fixture with an impressive showing, earning Maguire and others significant praise.
Beyond delivering a solid defensive effort, Maguire dazzled fans with a skillful move leading up to Casemiro’s opening goal. He skillfully maneuvered past his opponent before delivering an outstanding cross into the box.
Jill Scott then intervened and joked United should play Maguire at right wing back instead after his skill in Bilbao, before Keane bit back.
‘Oh relax Jill, will you,’ Keane said. ‘I know you’re joking. Harry Maguire last week. Harry Maguire crossed the ball and everyone’s going “what amazing feet”.
Roy Keane has poked fun at Harry Maguire after his piece of skill against Athletic Bilbao
Maguire took on his defender before delivering a brilliant cross for United’s opening goal
Keane hit back at the suggestions that Maguire had done something that was impressive
‘HE CROSSED THE BALL! Skill? He did a little shimmy, crossed it! It’s not bad for £80m is it, someone who can cross the ball! Oh my god! You’re all living in cuckoo land.’
Despite the positive result, Keane also continued to express his frustration at United’s season and the way they have seemingly disregarded the Premier League to focus on the Europa League.
‘(I’m just fed up at) how bad they are,’ Keane added. ‘They’re getting on my nerves, they keep talking about a big game next week, they’re not even trying.
‘A couple of weeks ago at Newcastle they said “we couldn’t focus because we’ve got Lyon coming up” so they keep writing these matches off.
‘I understand it’s a big game, so you just dismiss these league matches? They’re a disgrace, an absolute disgrace.’
Keane then directed his ire at Bruno Fernandes, a star the hard-hitting pundit has repeatedly criticised in recent times.
While Fernandes’ quality has never been called into question by Keane, he has claimed the Portuguese is not suitable for the United captaincy, arguing he is not a ‘fighter’.
And as the panel discussed Fernandes’ impressive run of form since Keane described the attacking midfielder and his team-mates as ‘bluffers’ after they lost 4-1 at Newcastle last month, he aimed another put down at him.
Keane aimed another put-down at Fernandes and insisted ‘talent is not enough’ to succeed
He also expressed his frustration that United are seemingly ‘dismissing’ the Premier League
‘Well they’re getting great records at United this year, aren’t they?,’ he said.
‘No, I’m fed up of listening to it all. Bruno’s a talented player. But talent isn’t enough.’
Meanwhile, speaking last month, Keane had said: ‘Bruno does front up but it’s kind of just soundbites now. There’s no meaning to it. I don’t know how we can listen to the United players’ interviews anymore because I’m not sure if they’re an honest group.
‘He keeps talking about having belief in his team-mates, but real good team-mates put demands on each other. These aren’t team-mates, they are bluffers.
‘When I listen to Bruno, amazing player, I still have question marks about his leadership. He’s certainly not getting any help around him.
‘Newcastle were outstanding. I think United now are physically and mentally a weak team. Ruben Amorim is scratching his head. I bet he cannot believe how bad this Man United team is.’
United face Bilbao in the second leg of their Europa League tie this evening, before they host West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday.
Roy Keane was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.
