ROY KEANE has spoken with characteristic honesty about what has gone wrong at Manchester United this season.
The Cork man has also had a humorous dig at social media enthusiast Rio Ferdinand, who is leaving the club after 12 years.
"That might have suited him," said Keane when asked about Ferdinand not getting the chance to say farewell to the Old Trafford crowd. "Not everybody wants to wander around the pitch waving and crying ... He didn't have a chance to say goodbye? You can say goodbye on Twitter, can't you?"
Speaking at ITV’s World Cup launch, Keane criticised United’s vice chairman Ed Woodward and also questioned the progress of young Red Devils players such as Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.
"He [Moyes] had one transfer window, and it's not always down to the manager when players don't come in," said Keane, who was speaking at ITV's World Cup launch.
"I think Ed Woodward needs to look at himself. He's got to get deals done. I think he should have been given more time. I was happy with David Moyes. I think Van Gaal is a good choice. Only time will tell. He's managed big clubs."
"We were told two or three years ago Jones was going to be the new Duncan Edwards, Smalling was this … I've watched United live nine, 10 times this year and they have been none of those things. If anything I think they have gone backwards.
"I've actually been a big fan of them – yes, give them a chance, you say you have to give players a chance to mature but also you've got players who you say we've given you a chance and you're not taking it.
"They need to do a lot better if they want to cement their place at Man United and United to win trophies. Jones needs to toughen up. Every time I see him he is getting carried off. He's got to toughen up – he's playing for Man United. They have to recruit in the summer – they might get two.
"It's the spine of the team. United have come up short defensively and in the middle of the park they have not done enough. You watch any of the teams that are winning trophies, Jesus I'm stating the obvious, you've got to have a strong spine, goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and striker and United have been short in two of those areas. It makes it very difficult to win trophies."
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