"Shocking, embarrassing."
Roy Keane was looking closely as many of the Manchester United players were coming out for the
second half against Liverpool, at Anfield. 1-0 down and needing a big second half, Keane noted players 'joking and laughing'.
Before today, United had trailed seven times in matches in 2023 but had won three and drawn three (losing only once, to Arsenal). Perhaps the United players were confident of making a comeback against a side they had beaten at Old Trafford, earlier in the season.
By full-time, all the laughter was coming from Liverpool, their bench and their supporters. United
conceded six goals in the second half to win 7-0 and rack up their highest ever league win over their old rivals.
Graeme Souness had boldly predicted a Liverpool win over this season's League Cup winners, drawing grins from Roy Keane and Gary Neville before kick-off. Up in the Sky Sports studio, at full-time, a crowing Souness declared, "Where's Gary Neville?"
Keane, meanwhile, had plenty to say about United's senior stars.
[caption id="attachment_284605" align="alignnone" width="594"]
Cody Gakpo of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-0 during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)[/caption]
"I'd go into hiding" - Roy Keane
"A shocking day. The goal just after half time, it was game over," Roy Keane said on Sky Sports, as he reflected on Manchester United losing 7-0
"The senior players were embarrassing, didn't show any leadership skills. The goals they gave away were shocking. A tough day for United.
"Thank God I've never been part of a team that's been beaten by that much playing for Man United. The players will be embarrassed, ashamed of their performance. When the going got tough they went missing."
"If I got beat 6-0 or 7-0, I'd go into hiding," Keane added. "I'd go missing for a few months. It really is that embarrassing.
"When you go two goals down like that you've got to show some sort of pride, fight, spirit, they didn't show any of that."
Keane says he does not begrudge the United players from celebrating wildly after their League Cup victory, but he feels the narrow cup win over West Ham was a wake-up call that the players ignored.
The former United captain warned that 'the circus' that often comes with being a player at the club was in danger of creeping back. Once again, he focused on the players 'laughing and joking' with Liverpool coaching staff before that fateful second half began.
Related links.
