Roy Keane and Gary Neville agree over ‘cuckoo’ Man Utd claim after Tottenham defeat

Roy Keane and Gary Neville have been speaking about Manchester United’s lack of strength in the midfield.

It has been a less than ideal start to the season for Erik ten Hag’s men, who won their opener against Wolves despite a poor performance ahead of suffering a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham over the weekend. United were expected to be one of the most dangerous sides in the Premier League this season, and while they may reach those heights, they look a long way from cohesive at this stage.

Another signing or two is still likely, though, and United legend Keane believes midfield is where Ten Hag needs the most help.

“People talk about Fred and McTominay in midfield, they’ve had their chance, we’ve seen them,” Keane told Sky Sports. “[Donny] van de Beek has come into the club, and there’s nothing wrong with biding your time, but if you think Fred, McTominay and [Nemanja] Matic in midfield will get Man United back to the heights of winning titles, then you’re living in cuckoo land.”

Neville has a similar view, believeing the Red Devils are lacking in the middle.

“What’s clear is that Manchester United’s midfield needs bolstering,” Neville added. “Ten Hag wants a number six who can play alongside Casemiro and, at the moment, the club can’t get players out to be able to fund that.

“If they look at the first two weeks, they have to fund it or there will be a big problem. What is clear is that Ten Hag doesn’t want to revert back to Scott McTominay. With Fernandes on the right, the midfield looks all over the place and the front three doesn’t look capable of functioning as one. Does he go back to McTominay? Ten Hag has made five substitutions and not used him. It’s almost as if he is managing him out of the club.”