Football
‘He’s an England International Player’ – Roy Keane Criticizes Manchester United Defender Harry Maguire After Late Miss Against Liverpool
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Get to know Sushan Chakraborty betterPublished06 Jan 2025
Manchester United legend Roy Keane has criticized Harry Maguire for squandering an incredible opportunity to beat Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield Stadium.
According to Keane, the England international should have hit the target irrespective of the quality of the ball.
Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United held Arne Slot’s Liverpool to an entertaining 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday, 5th January. Applying a fine finish centre-back Lisandro Martinez fired the Red Devils into the lead in the 52nd minute. Seven minutes later, Cody Gakpo equalized for the hosts. In the 70th minute, Mohamed Salah made it 2-1 for Liverpool from the penalty spot, but Amad Diallo’s 80th-minute strike ensured Liverpool did not have the last laugh.
Things could have been even better for Manchester United had Maguire managed to find the back of an unguarded net in the dying embers of the game. Joshua Zirkzee cut the ball back for the Englishman to finish, but he could not keep his effort on target, sending it blazing over the crossbar.
Roy Keane Criticizes Manchester United Star Harry Maguire for Late Liverpool Miss
After the game, Man Utd legend Keane took aim at Maguire, dismissing Daniel Sturridge’s claim that Zirkzee should have delivered a better ball.
On Sky Sports, Keane said:
“I don’t care, Daniel’s saying you could have given him a better . Listen, know your players, his [Zirkzee] confidence isn’t sky-high.”
Sturridge responded, saying:
“Just don’t bobble it into him, you’ve got all the time in the world to cut the ball back. You’re Premier League footballers playing for Manchester United.”
Keane, however, was convinced that Maguire should have at least put his effort on target.
“He’s ing it to a Premier League footballer. You’re ing to an England international player. Know your players, you know he’s not going to give you the perfect . Expect a bobble into you.
“You’ve got to hit the target Harry, no problem. We saw players earlier today, you said it ‘hit the target’. If it gets blocked, no problem.”
He concluded by adding:
“Some of it has to go on Harry Maguire a little bit. You’re not going to get the perfect last kick of the game. If you get that in training you’re saying ‘just hit the target’. I don’t care if it’s Harry Maguire, he’s an England international player. With Harry sitting here we say ‘what you think Harry?’ He’d go ‘I should’ve hit the target’. 100%. Whatever about the not being 100%.”
Manchester United, who are 13th in the Premier League rankings, will return to action with an FA Cup 3rd Round clash with Arsenal on Sunday, 12th January.