Roy Keane was more sad than angry after watching Manchester United get destroyed 4-0 by Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Mo Salah struck twice to end his recent goal drought, with Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz also on target in an electric performance from Jurgen Klopp's side.
United, meanwhile, had just 28% possession and only managed a single shot on target in 90 minutes. They've now conceded 13 times in their last three outings against bitter rivals Liverpool, including nine without reply in the two fixtures this term.
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With the heavy scoreline, one would have expected Keane to erupt in a typical rant in the Sky Sports studio.
He wasn't on the panel for the 5-0 thrashing at Old Trafford but made up for it by ripping into United in his next TV appearance, ahead of the trip to Spurs.
This time, however, Keane didn't quite unload on United in the way many would have expected and admitted himself that it was "sadness" that he was feeling.
"There was anger earlier in the season, now it’s just sadness," the former Manchester United captain said, sat next to Liverpool legend Graeme Souness.
"It’s so sad watching this team. You look at United today… there was no heart today, no soul, no leaders, they lacked real quality.
“They are so far off. There’s no surprise the scoreline. You just felt Liverpool could score any time they went forward.
“There’s disarray at the club. The fans have no time for the owners. They need a new manager. They need players in, they need players out.
“It’s so sad to see. It’s not the club I played for. It doesn’t reflect what United stood for when I played. It’s chalk and cheese. I don’t see United players out there playing for pride. It’s a really, really sad night.”
Keane continued post-match: "It's not really anger anymore, it's just sadness where the club is at. I just think from the top, you look at the manager situation, you look at the recruitment over the last few years, they're so far off it. They're the opposite you want in a top team.
"There's no leadership there, there's no characters. When the going gets tough they just crumble. The fourth goal was such bad defending, there's no fight or determination.
"A long way back for this club. It doesn't reflect on the Man United I played for. It's like a completely different club."
Keane didn't quite reach the scathing heights he is known for but he kept that no-nonsense approach when he said Jesse Lingard should have left two years ago and that Marcus Rashford "played like a child" at Anfield.
In addition, he claimed captain Harry Maguire's part in the final goal for Salah was "not acceptable".
"Jesse Lingard is coming on to try and save Man United. Jesse Lingard should have left Man United two years ago," Keane declared.
"He’s not good enough. Rashford played like a child up front. OK he wasn’t getting service, but the one or two bits he got in the first-half when you think he’s in on goal, a poor touch.
"We were trying to help Maguire out before the match, give him a little bit of PR.
“The last goal, his passing and defending – not acceptable. Not good enough for Man United. Talk about a rebuilding job, they have to get players in, first of all, that are decent lads, good quality pros, talented.
“Man United fifth or sixth in the league. Unbelievable.”
The result leaves United in sixth place in the Premier League on 54 points, behind Arsenal on goal difference.
Their points tally after 33 games is their worst in over 30 years.
Topics: Roy Keane, Manchester United, Liverpool, Premier League
Josh Lawless