Anthony Martial has scored just 19 goals over the last three-and-a-half seasons (Photo: Getty)
Roy Keane has launched a scathing attack on Manchester United’s players, suggesting Anthony Martial was better off playing in a lower division.
United put in perhaps their worst performance of the season in the 1-0 defeat at Newcastle on Saturday, which is saying something given their woeful form in 2023/24.
The result leaves the club seventh in the Premier League after 14 games, five points off the top four and nine off leaders Arsenal.
There are plenty of issues on and off the pitch, but scrutiny of several players has been especially high in recent games, with forward Martial one of those taking a lot of flack.
United legend Keane has added to that discourse, telling Sky Sports on Sunday: ‘We mention Martial… we forgive Martial because he scores a goal every 14 years.
‘But let me tell you when at Newcastle under pressure, we get that ball into you, you better get hold of that ball to get us up the pitch and a bit of breathing space.
‘He’s touching balls off and gives the ball away cheaply. You may as well go down the leagues.
Marcus Rashford’s performance against Newcastle was called ‘unacceptable’ (Photo: Getty)
‘Man United have been trying to get rid of him a few years ago. You judge Man United on what they do in the big matches. If you can’t deal with that, maybe you’re not a Man United player.’
Keane went onto criticise the defence saying ‘they seem like a load of strangers’, before also taking aim at Marcus Rashford.
The forward was earlier slated by Jamie Carragher, who even negatively compared him to Martial, with Keane adding: ‘[Rashford] is a local lad, he’s got the mega deal and that is all well and good.
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‘I need a bit more, you run forward no problem but you have to run back. Cover yards.
‘He’s 26 now, he’s not a child anymore. He’s got to set the example. He’s got to lead by example, is he on his own? Absolutely not.
‘He’s one of the experienced players in that dressing room and if he’s not setting the example, not good.’
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‘We forgive him because he scores a goal every 14 years.’