Roy Keane was critical of Erik ten Hag after the Manchester United boss praised Bruno Fernandes for allowing Marcus Rashford to take a crucial penalty in Sunday’s 3-0 win against Everton.
Rashford stroked home his second goal of the season from the spot at Goodison Park, doubling United’s lead early in the second half of their victory.
After Ashley Young was adjudged to have tripped Anthony Martial following a VAR review, regular penalty-taker Fernandes could be seen handing the ball to the England forward.
Alejandro Garnacho had given Ten Hag’s side an early lead with a spectacular overhead kick and Martial wrapped up the scoring with his first goal since May.
Whilst the under-pressure United boss was keen to praise Fernandes’ leadership qualities as his side moved within four points of the Champions League places, former United captain Keane was less than impressed.
Roy Keane was unimpressed by Erik ten Hag’s praise for Bruno Fernandes following Man United’s 3-0 win at Everton
Ten Hag was pleased with Fernandes’ leadership qualities after he allowed Marcus Rashford to take a penalty at Goodison Park
Rashford stepped up and scored his second goal of the season from the spot to double United’s lead
He told Sky Sports: ‘He’s giving toffee out there to Bruno for passing on the ball for the penalty. Absolute bloody rubbish. Absolute rubbish coming out with that. Manchester United are sixth now – if you went back a few years, if you were sixth you’d be embarrassed.
‘But obviously they seem happy with sixth. They have a long way to go. Manchester United have to be competing with the best teams. That’s including Liverpool, [Manchester] City, Arsenal.
‘It’s not been good enough with the talent they’ve got. Look, they’ve got themselves in a nice position but the reason you’re playing for Manchester United is to compete against the top teams.’
Despite Keane’s criticism, Ten Hag will be relieved that his side was able to secure a fifth win from their last six Premier League games as they look to put a torrid start to the season behind them.
They now face a decisive Champions League tie against Galatasaray in Istanbul on Wednesday, and the Dutchman was pleased to see Rashford back on the scoresheet after his own underwhelming start to the campaign.
When asked how much Rashford needed his goal against Everton, Ten Hag said: ‘A lot. You see also how great a captain Bruno is to sense that his team-mate needed that goal. Bruno will net definitely, but he has the confidence in Rashy who is a very good penalty taker.
‘Take that ball and take your confidence. As a team you need that leadership. You back each other, you cover each other and you give each other confidence because you need it to get a successful season.’
Fernandes was named Man United captain in the summer after Ten Hag took the armband away from Harry Maguire
Fernandes, who has also been the subject of criticism this season amid United’s struggles in multiple competitions, said he had no doubts in handing Rashford the ball.
He told Sky Sports: ‘I felt that Marcus needed a bit of confidence, needed goals. Marcus is an excellent penalty-taker too. I’m 100 per cent sure that he could score the penalty. It’s not about who takes it, it’s about scoring the penalty and Marcus did it perfectly.
‘Obviously strikers, wingers, they want to score goals, they need to score goals, that’s part of their game and it gives you a boost. After the penalty, Marcus was unstoppable – he could take on everyone. I think sometimes you need this chance, this opportunity to get confidence back.
‘But Marcus has been great for us. Obviously last season he was amazing, so everyone’s expectations for this season were higher. It’s just about getting his goals back and everyone will stay say that he is world-class again.
