Keane: Moyes shocked at quality of players

Roy Keane has issued a damning verdict on Manchester United’s struggling squad following last night’s embarrassing 2-0 Champions League defeat - suggesting manager David Moyes is shocked by the lack of quality he inherited at Old Trafford and insisting the club need to sign at least six new players this summer.

United, already out of the title race in the Premier League, are on the brink of being knocked out early in Europe too following defeat in Athens; and former United midfielder Keane could not hide his frustration.

“It was a very poor performance from United,” the former club captain said. “I think David Moyes will be shocked. I think he looked at the players when he arrived expecting great things of them but then looked at them at close quarters and I would say privately was shocked at the lack of quality he is working with.

“Regardless of this result I feel United now need six top quality new players. Vidic is leaving, Rio is coming towards the end. There’s speculation over Evra and Giggsy no doubt will be retiring. They need five or six players to try and rebuild the club.

“I hope the players take responsibility; it’s not about Alex Ferguson, it’s not about David Moyes. The players need to do more. But having said that, maybe one of two of them are good enough; that’s not their fault, they’ve be selected, but they’re not up to it.”

Keane even laid into midfielder Michael Carrick following a post-match interview in which he showed obvious disappointment but little fire.

The Republic assistant manager said: “The interview was like the performance: flat. He needed more urgency in his interview - it reflected United’s performance, flat, no urgency, just keep it for the next game. For some of them there won’t be another game, that’s the reality of it.

“We’ve talked about United lacking confidence but that’s all nonsense,” he continued, before saying “they need to show a bit of quality, a bit of desire. (Ashley) Young and (Antonio) Valencia haven’t done enough, it’s been very unlike United. They look ordinary.

“We can make excuses all day for the players but there’s nothing wrong tactically and they had a good starting 11. David Moyes is probably shocked at the lack of quality he’s working with.”