Keane: “United have gone away from their tradition”

Roy Keane has claimed that Manchester United have returned to the approach they adopted in the late 1980s, which is not guaranteed to bring them any silverware this season.

The former United captain said Louis Van Gaal was playing a dangerous game by signing a host of players in the hope of them gelling together, adding United were unlikely to mount a serious title challenge this season.

“United have gone away from what they were about; they are a bit like late Eighties, buying a lot of players thinking they will gel – but it doesn’t happen that quickly, as much as they’ll definitely be stronger this year,” he said.

“Van Gaal’s had a full pre-season this year, they’ve looked good from what I saw, but they had a good pre-season last year too.

“I don’t think the spine of United [is good enough], I still think they need a centre half maybe.”