ROY KEANE has written off ex-club Manchester United’s Premier League title chances.
The Red Devils finished second last season to neighbours City but have signed £73million winger Jadon Sancho and Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane.
But Old Trafford legend Keane reckons Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still has major problems in goal, at right-back as well as his old position of midfield if United want to mount a first title challenge since 2013.
Ex-United skipper does not rate David de Gea, who is set to start today’s league opener against Leeds with keeper rival Dean Henderson affected by long-Covid.
The Irishman, 50, also believes defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brazil midfielder Fred are not good enough while Solskjaer needs to move the returning Jesse Lingard on.
Keane said: “I will sit here and say I don’t think Man United will win the league title.
“The couple of signings they have made are obviously fantastic, there’s no doubting the quality they’ve got in. But I still have my doubts.
“United have a huge problem with the goalkeeper. De Gea, the last two or three years…the goalkeeper is not up to it.
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“People say he was good six, seven years ago. I was good 20 years ago! You can’t keep looking back.
“Henderson, you might give him more of a chance. There’s question marks over him.
“It’s okay playing for Sheffield United but when he played for United it’s a different animal.
“We talk about Liverpool and Man City but we never talk about their goalkeepers because it’s taken care of.”
It is not just the goalkeeping position serial winner and demanding standards setter Keane has major concerns over.
Wan-Bissaka cost £50million from Crystal Palace two years ago but has not got the seal of approval from the former Red Devils star.
Keane, speaking on The Overlap Live Fan debate with ex-United team-mate, added: “The right-back probably isn’t good enough for Man United.”
Neville said: “The right-back is okay. I know we disagree on that.”
Keane quickly responded: “Gary, I’m going to butt in here. Okay is not good enough. You are talking about Man United and winning league titles.
Premier League great Keane knows a thing or two about those, winning seven league titles in a golden 12-year period at the club between 1993 and 2005.
Keane fears Solskjaer will also come up short in central midfield to compete against the best at home and abroad.
And, despite Lingard’s promising loan spell at West Ham last season, Keane reckons the England midfielder should be heading out of the Old Trafford exit door before the end of the window on August 31.
He added: “Ole will have to move players on. People talk about recruitment but it’s also about shifting people on. Sometimes you are waiting for a couple of players to go out.
“Jesse and players like that in the background, you are going to have to shift them on. They are not the answer.
“Football is all about opinions but I don’t think Jesse is going to get Man United back challenging for titles.
“You are going back with Jesse, he was already at United, he did well at West Ham and maybe that type of club is a good fit for him.
“But if you are asking me if Jesse Lingard will get United back winning league titles then the answer is no.
“And I’ll say the same about Fred and maybe McTominay. He is a good, young player who is improving and I would persevere with him.
“The proof is in the pudding. I see Fred every week and I can’t see it. Ole likes him and he’s the manager but I can’t see it.
“These are good players but if you are talking about winning league titles then they have come up short over the last few years.
“It’s not as if they have been close to winning, they have not.
“They have had some good cup runs but we’re talking about the league here and they have come up short in the big games.
“I still have a feeling United will pull something out of the bag over the next few weeks.
“I still think they need someone in the middle of the park. I’m definitely worried.
‘IT’S A HUGE PROBLEM’
“There is talk of United changing the system to a 4-3-3 (with one holding midfielder rather than two).
“Man United need someone in midfield but it would take huge money and they need to shift a few players on.
“But players are on huge money so they aren’t going anywhere unless they get a proper deal elsewhere.
“Or United are giving them a lot to leave. People think that surely players would want to play somewhere?
“A lot of players are sitting on contracts – not just the United lads – and they are in no rush to go anywhere.
“It’s a huge problem in football. It’s not just getting lads in, it’s getting them out.”
