Roy Keane praised Erik ten Hag after Manchester United’s FA Cup success and urged him to ignore the outside noise before the Dutchman made a joke about the Irishman’s managerial stint
Erik ten Hag told Roy Keane that “he had trouble managing a team” as he referenced his spell in the dugout.
The Manchester United manager was buoyed by the fact he delivered the FA Cup in stunning fashion, overcoming the odds to see off Manchester City at Wembley. It meant he and the club ended a difficult year on a high after registering their lowest ever Premier League finish.
Ten Hag has bemoaned the state of his squad for much of the season whilst pundits and experts have been particularly scathing about him and his team on occasions. Keane though joked that he and his team should take no notice of the outside noise, before they embarked on an interesting exchange.
He said: “You must be proud of them, we’ve always questioned players about their quality at Man United, but character and leadership. They showed character today – which I had questioned, and a lot of people have…you shouldn’t listen to them pundits anyway! Take no notice of the pundits.”
Ten Hag hit back by saying: “But you told me!” Before Keane pointed his fingers at fellow pundits Ian Wright and Joleon Lescott and added: “No, them two!”
The Dutchman then said to the former United skipper: “You had trouble to manage a team!” Keane hit back by saying: “Ah, I won a Championship with Sunderland…give me some praise, ah come on! You’re too harsh on me!”
Keane was able to guide Sunderland to the Championship title in his first year, landing promotion with 88 points. The following year he was then able to keep them in the top flight, finishing 15th before he was sacked in his third season with the Black Cats in the bottom three. He’s since had a spell at Ipswich, but was axed after a poor run of form.
Ten Hag meanwhile celebrated FA Cup success amid continued reports that he could be sacked by the United hierarchy. The Wembley win comes after a poor end to the campaign and Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to further stamp his authority on the Old Trafford outfit.
A defiant Ten Hag though insists he wants to remain, but will go elsewhere and win honours if the club deem him surplus to requirements.
He said: “I’m in the project and we’re exactly where we want to be. We’re constructing a team. When I took over, it was a mess at United. The team is developing and winning trophies, and playing to an identity, but you need the players to be available. If they don’t want me anymore, I’ll go somewhere else and win trophies because that’s what I’ve done my whole career.”
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