Roy Keane Questions Manchester United's Midfield Title Potential
Roy Keane doubts new-look United midfield can deliver title
Roy Keane sees progress in Manchester United’s midfield. He just doesn’t see a title in it.
Speaking on Stick to Football, the former United captain weighed up the club’s latest additions alongside Kobbie Mainoo, who shone under Michael Carrick last season, and delivered a familiar, blunt verdict: decent, but not decisive.
“I think that’s a good way of putting it, a good midfield,” Keane said when asked about the impact of Carlos Baleba’s potential arrival. “But if you’re on about winning the league, I think it’s short.”
Keane accepted that United have finally built some depth in the centre of the pitch and praised the attacking threat that emerged once Carrick took charge last season. United carried a real punch going forward; goals were not the problem.
The same cannot be said at the other end.
United’s title ceiling, Keane argued, still sits over their own penalty area.
“United’s big problems are still going to be defensively,” he warned. “The issue is at the back, the full-backs and the two centre-halves are still a big issue.”
On paper, Keane admitted, the midfield options look strong. Names, profiles, experience – it all reads well. But he drew a sharp line between looking good and being good enough to drag a club to a Premier League crown.
“On paper, they [the midfield] jump out as really good players. But is there a league-winning midfield there? Probably not. No, I don’t see it.”
One of those names is Youri Tielemans. The Belgian’s £35m move has been framed as a sensible, measured deal after years of heavyweight contracts, with Casemiro the obvious reference point. Keane agreed that United have at least learned one lesson.
“Tielemans is a safety bet for United,” he said. The midfielder knows the Premier League, has been a regular for Belgium and has already gone to Old Trafford with Aston Vila and thrived under the spotlight. Keane expects him to handle the stage.
That, in his eyes, is where the optimism stops.
“Over the last few years, Casemiro is a good example, players have come in huge money, big wages,” Keane noted, contrasting Tielemans’ profile with past splurges. Sensible business, yes. Transformational? No.
“Will he get United to the very top? No.”
So United head into the new campaign with a midfield that looks stronger, deeper, more balanced. Keane can see all of that. What he cannot yet see is a group – in the middle or at the back – that can carry the club through a title race.
