Roy Keane dismisses suggestions Man United may be fatigued amid busy fixture schedule
‘I wouldn’t like to hear that kind of talk’: Roy Keane rejects suggestions Manchester United may be fatigued after a busy schedule, stating ‘I don’t think it’s been a grueling season yet’
Roy Keane has dismissed claims that Manchester United’s lackluster first half against Fulham was due to fatigue after their Europa League trip to Real Betis on Thursday night.
Erik ten Hag’s side defeated Fulham 3-1 in the FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford, after the Red Devils got off to a slow start against the London outfit.
They lost a goal just after half time with Aleksandar Mitrovic putting the away team one goal up before receiving a red card later in the game alongside teammate Willian and manager Marco Silva.
United would bounce back with Bruno Fernandes scoring a brace, while Marcel Sabitzer scored his first goal for the club, sending United through to the semi-finals at Wembley.
But it’s been a busy few months for United, who mathematically can still win multiple trophies this season, with the club now holding a place in the Europa League quarter-finals and a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Roy Keane has rejected claims Manchester United could be struggling with fatigue
While they are unlikely to be able to beat Arsenal and Manchester City in the Premier League, the former Red Devils captain was on hand at half time to give his verdict on suggestions United might be battling fatigue afterward. of his European trip to Spain. Thursday.
Ten Hag’s side earned a convincing 4–1 win in that game, sending them into the next round of the tournament, but Keane stated that United’s poor first-half performance against Fulham should not be attributed to fatigue.
“I wouldn’t want to hear that kind of talk, not even about the game the other night,” Keane said when asked if he thought the team was tired from that game.
“I think it’s difficult if you have an away game in Europe and you travel again when you come back from an away game.
“But I think when you’re at home, he’s made one or two changes and that can’t be any kind of excuse for a poor performance, I’m not going to allow that.”
Keane also noted that most of United’s FA Cup draws had also been played at home this season.
“I think a lot of the games, certainly the cup games we were talking about, were home draws,” he added.
“I don’t think it’s been a grueling season yet, it all depends on the intensity of the games and obviously there will be a lot more at stake.” That can’t come into play today for United if they don’t cross the line.’
