Keane doubts Man Utd will crack top four under Amorim this season

Roy Keane does not believe Manchester United will get back into the Premier League’s top four under Ruben Amorim this season due to a “real lack of quality”.

The Red Devils legend was speaking after United started life under the Portuguese with a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town, as Omari Hutchinson cancelled out Marcus Rashford’s second-minute opener.

Keane acknowledged Amorim has to be given time to turn things around at Old Trafford, but does not see United cracking the top four this season.

“You have to give the man a chance,” Keane told Sky Sports. “But the threat going forward, it’s a huge problem for Man Utd. It’s not good enough.

“Do I believe they have the quality to get them back to top four? Absolutely not. The evidence is not there. It’s the same old stuff. Predictable and a real lack of quality.”

2 – Rúben Amorim is only the second permanent manager in Premier League history to see his side score within the opening two minutes of his very first game in charge in the competition, along with David Moyes with Everton in March 2002. Dreamland. pic.twitter.com/tQAFY0Kbov

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 24, 2024

United created 0.9 xG compared to Ipswich’s 1.75 and had fewer shots on target (four) compared to Ipswich (six) at Portman Road.

They did have more touches in the opposition box (16 to 11) but had fewer final-third entries (48 to 61) and big chances created (two to three).

Ipswich were extremely resilient opponents after their early setback, and Tractor Boys boss Kieran McKenna praised his side, particularly Hutchinson after he grabbed his first Premier League goal.

“I thought he (Hutchinson) was a big threat first half, naturally more a winger, but most teams are going to press us high and in the spaces in the middle of the pitch having a dribbler in the middle of the pitch who’s elusive and hard to pick up can be a big threat,” he told Sky Sports.

“I think it’s his first goal in the Premier League he’ll be happy to have that of his back and he’s improving.”

“The first half, it’s a blow to concede the early goal but I thought as the half went on we grew in the ascendancy, and the intensity of pressing and work on the ball.

“I thought we were the dominant team in the first half and deserved to be going in at least level. Second half in fairness, Man Utd had more control. It was difficult, we had to defend with real discipline on shape.”