Manchester United legend Roy Keane has pinpointed three players he is concerned about for Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman's third season at the helm begins with a challenging opener against Fulham.
Expectations will be high having recently bought Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich while also adding youthful defensive talent Leny Yoro, and Dutch ace Joshua Zirkzee. However, the latter is a player who is yet to convince Keane, alongside last season's big-money signing Rasmus Hojlund.
The Irishman also said he is yet to be won over by Andre Onana, who endured a mixed campaign at Old Trafford last season. With expectations at Old Trafford the highest they've been since Ten Hag took over, Keane is worried for United at both ends of the pitch.
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While speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane said: "It's always a worry for me about competing. I still worry about the spine of that Manchester United team. For all the nice play they have and good players, I still worry about the goalkeeper and strikers.
"On paper they have a decent squad, but the reality is when they've played games, and last year with their record in the league they were so open. If you're on about competing, I worry about the spine of the team."
Adding to Keane's comments, Gary Neville also said he's worried about Luke Shaw's injury woes, especially considering United's failure to recruit another left-back. Neville said: "Injuries are the massive thing for Manchester United.
"The left back is a problem because if [Luke] Shaw is out the drop off is massive. I do think they'll get into the top four if they stay clear of injuries."
Last year, an injury-plagued United squad had a tumultuous time domestically and in European competitions. They exited the Champions League in the grouo stages and faltered to an unimpressive eighth placed finish in the Premier League.
However, they clinched a Europa League spot by beating Manchester City in the FA Cup Final. Having bolstered their squad in the transfer market, United seem poised for a much improved campaign.
The arrival of De Ligt, who was Ten Hag's skipper during Ajax's dream run to the 2019 Champions League final, has been particularly noteworthy, reports the Mirror. After joining the club, the ex-Ajax captain said: "As soon as I heard that Manchester United wanted me, I felt an excitement about the opportunity for a new challenge at such an historic club.
"In the conversations that followed, I was impressed by the vision that the football leadership set out and the role they saw for me in it. Erik ten Hag shaped the early stages of my career, so he knows how to get the best out of me and I cannot wait to work with him again. I know what it takes to succeed at the highest level, and I'm determined to continue that record at this special club."
