Roy Keane Doubts Manchester United Midfield Can Deliver Title
Roy Keane believes Manchester United’s rebuilt midfield is good – but nowhere near good enough to carry a title challenge.
Speaking on Stick to Football, the former United captain welcomed the depth being assembled around Kobbie Mainoo, who shone under Michael Carrick last season, yet he stopped well short of calling it a championship engine room.
Asked whether the potential arrival of Baleba would leave United with a strong midfield unit, Keane did not hesitate.
“I think that’s a good way of putting it, a good midfield,” he said. “But if you’re on about winning the league, I think it’s short.”
Keane accepts United have serious firepower going the other way. He pointed to the attacking threat that surged after Carrick took charge, when United looked far more dangerous in the final third.
“That midfield and going forward, there is a big goal threat at United, they were very good last year with it, especially when Carrick took over they were a real goal threat.”
For Keane, the real fault line lies behind them.
“The issue is at the back, the full-backs and the two centre-halves are still a big issue,” he warned, underlining that defensive frailty as the main barrier to any genuine title tilt.
On paper, he accepts the names in midfield carry weight. The concern is what they can actually deliver across a 38-game slog.
“On paper, they [the midfield] jump out as really good players. But is there a league-winning midfield there? Probably not. No, I don’t see it.”
One of those names is Youri Tielemans. United have moved for the Belgian in a £35m deal, and Keane sees the logic. This is not another Casemiro-style gamble on huge wages and fading peak years.
“Tielemans is a safety bet for United,” Keane said. “Over the last few years, Casemiro is a good example, players have come in huge money, big wages.”
The 27-year-old at least arrives fully briefed on the demands of English football. Keane expects him to handle the stage, having already impressed at Old Trafford in an Aston Villa shirt.
“Tielemans knows the Premier League, is a good international, having gone to Old Trafford with Vila and had success he will be fine with the expectation.”
Then came the sting.
“But will he get United to the very top? No.”
Keane sees a squad being sensibly reshaped, a midfield that now looks stocked and serviceable. What he does not yet see is a spine – especially at the back – that can drag Manchester United back to the summit of English football.
