Roy Keane predicts where Man Utd will finish after ‘shocking’ Liverpool defeat

Roy Keane has backed Manchester United to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League this season despite describing their performance against Liverpool as ‘shocking’.

Erik ten Hag’s tenure as Old Trafford boss suffered yet another blow on Sunday afternoon as United lost 3-0 to arch-rivals Liverpool.

While Liverpool looked classy and solid under new boss Arne Slot, United were the masters of their own downfall as all three goals came after mistakes in the midfield.

Casemiro twice gave the ball away in the opening 45 minutes and Liverpool pounced on both occasions, Luis Diaz bagging a first-half brace to put the visitors in control.

Kobbie Mainoo was dispossessed in the build-up to Liverpool’s third which was scored by Mohamed Salah, who assisted both of Diaz’s efforts.

Former Manchester United captain Keane described the team’s display as ‘shocking’ and said performances on the pitch are not matching off-field PR from the new owners.

‘It was far from an even game – Liverpool were very good, they looked sharp and look fitter,’ he said on Sky Sports.

‘You can try to dress it up, but United were shocking. Every time Liverpool went forward they looked like they were going to score – not good.

‘There’s been a lot of good PR for United about plans for the stadium, blah, blah, blah. Today I am really disappointed that United didn’t turn up. 

‘I am always surprised if the game is over after 60 minutes when you’re playing for Manchester United.’

Given Keane’s damning assessment of the Red Devils, it came as a surprise when it later tipped Manchester United to finish in the top-four this season.

United slumped to their lowest-ever Premier League finish last season and are 14th at this early stage with three points from three games.

‘I still think United will get in the top-four,’ Keane added.

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, meanwhile, said he expects Ten Hag to be sacked before the end of the season following another alarming performance.

United almost pulled the trigger on the Dutchman following last season’s eighth-place finish and spoke to several candidates about taking over at Old Trafford.

‘I don’t think anything is going to change in terms of the football [at Manchester United],’ Carragher said.

‘I have seen this before at Liverpool. Go back before Klopp came in when there was talk of Brendan Rodgers losing his job after one season. 

‘They weren’t sure what to do, FSG [Liverpool’s ownership], and they kept him and Rodgers changed his staff. 

‘You expect something different, but the manager is the main man. Rodgers was gone in October. Ten Hag said in his interview “we will see where we are at the end of the season”.

‘I would be surprised if he is still there at the end of the season.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.