Keane was scathing after seeing his old club humbled by Manchester City in the Old Trafford derby as Ten Hag came under fire over his team selection and tactics.
‘I think he still wouldn’t have a clue what his best starting team is,’ Keane told Sky Sports. ‘His head is spinning with the problems he’s got at Man United.
‘Where do you start, where do you finish? Defensively and physically they look all over the place. He’ll have a sleepless night tonight.
‘City weren’t at their best but they’re just toying with United now. They’re on different levels. I do feel for the United players. They’re just short in every aspect – technically, tactically, physically they’re so off it. It’s a long way back for this team.’
Roy Keane (right) has urged Man United to ᵴtriƥ Bruno Fernandes (left) of the club captaincy
Fernandes struggled to have an impact on the game as his side lost 3-0 to Manchester City
Keane singled out Fernandes after United’s 3-0 defeat to City, saying the Portugal midfielder’s body language was the ‘opposite to what you want in a captain’.
He added: ‘The first thing I would do after today is take the captaincy off him. One hundred per cent. I know it’s a big decision to change the captaincy but Fernandes is not captain material.
‘I think he’s a talented player, no doubt about it, but what I saw today, he’s whingeing, he’s moaning, he’s throwing his arms up in the air constantly.
‘It really isn’t acceptable. When you’re talking about where do they make changes – board level, managers – I would start with that because the manager is capable of doing that. Fernandes is a brilliant footballer but he’s the opposite to what you want in a captain.’
Keane’s former teammate Gary Neville also criticised Ten Hag for sending on Mason Mount for Sofyan Amrabat at half-time, which meant playing Christian Eriksen alongside Scott McTominay in defensive midfield.
Fernandes was only appointed club captain in the summer in place of Harry Maguire (pictured)
Keane also suggested that off-the-field ownership issues continue to plague on-field events
Keane called on Erik ten Hag to ᵴtriƥ Fernandes of the United captaincy Credit: Getty
Fernandes was far from his best against City
City’s domination meant it was difficult for him to get into the game
‘I thought that was brave, if not a little bit reckless,’ said Neville. ‘He went too early. He opened up his midfield and got exposed. I don’t think it was a great day for his substitutions.
‘That performance in the second half today was appalling. The second half wasn’t a contest. It became a shambles.
‘Changing the manager? Absolutely not. But there’s no doubt that he is having issues. He has been here 18 months and none of us here can explain what Manchester United try to do with how they play. They play underdog football.
‘My anger isn’t with Ten Hag. I don’t think he is the fundamental problem. The toxicity at this club is eating alive every manager and every player that comes here.’
