Roy Keane blasts ’embarrassing’ Ten Hag for Bruno Fernandes praise and fumes ‘absolute bloody rubbish’

10 months ago 60

ROY KEANE claimed Erik ten Hag’s praise for Bruno Fernandes was “embarrassing” after he handed over penalty duties to Marcus Rashford at Everton.

Manchester United romped to a 3-0 win over the Toffees on Sunday to go sixth in the Premier League table.

Roy Keane tore into Erik ten Hag for ‘handing out toffee’[/caption]

The Man Utd boss hailed Bruno Fernandes for passing penalty duties to Marcus Rashford[/caption]

It was Alejandro Garnacho that stole the headlines with his incredible overhead kick after just three minutes.

Then, in the second half, after Anthony Martial was fouled in the area by Ashley Young, the Red Devils were handed the opportunity to double their lead from the spot.

The 29-year-old captain Fernandes, 29, is United’s regular penalty taker but he surprisingly handed over responsibility to his 26-year-old team-mate Rashford instead.

His faith in the forward was rewarded when he rifled home in the 56th minute before Martial wrapped-up the victory.

Fernandes claimed afterwards his decision was down to Rashford “needing confidence” .

United boss Ten Hag then said when asked how much Rashford needed his goal, he said: “A lot.

“You see also how great captain Bruno is. He assessed his team-mate needed that goal. He has the confidence in Rashy, who is a good penalty taker.

“As a team you need that leadership that you back each other.”

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But United legend Keane, working at the game as a pundit for Sky Sports, was having none of it.

“He’s giving toffee out there to Bruno for passing on the ball for the penalty. Absolute bloody rubbish,” blasted the Irishman.

“Absolute rubbish coming out with that. Manchester United are sixth now – if you went back a few years, if you were sixth you’d be embarrassed. But obviously they seem happy with sixth.

“They have a long way to go. Manchester United have to be competing with the best teams. That’s including Liverpool, [Manchester] City, Arsenal.

“It’s not been good enough with the talent they’ve got. Look, they’ve got themselves in a nice position but the reason you’re playing for Manchester United is to compete against the top teams.”

When quizzed by Sky Sports about giving him the penalty, Fernandes had said: “I felt Marcus needed confidence, needed his goal.

“Marcus is an excellent penalty taker too. I’m sure he could score that penalty.

“It’s not about who takes it, it’s about scoring that penalty, and Marcus did it perfectly. Strikers, wingers, they want to score goals, they need to score goals.

“That’s part of the game, it gives you a boost. I think after the penalty, Marcus was unstoppable, he could take on everyone.

“I think sometimes you need this chance, this opportunity, to get your confidence back. He’s been great for us.”

Rashford produced a career best 32 goals in all competitions last term to finish as United’s top scorer.

But his form has dipped this term and he had scored just once in 16 appearances in all competitions for the club this season before the trip to Goodison Park.