Manchester United finally seem set to move on from Fred and Scott McTominay years after former captain Roy Keane claimed they were not good enough to play for the Red Devils. Erik ten Hag is overseeing a midfield refresh this summer which could see both outcasts depart.
Once the favoured midfield duo of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Fred and McTominay have fallen well down the pecking order at Old Trafford. Ten Hag has signed Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount, while United are strongly linked with Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat and Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka.
Fred has been mooted with a move to Galatasaray, while McTominay is reportedly set to join West Ham. But those transfers come after several years of the pair being criticised by former midfielder Keane.
The Irishman most recently took aim at the Brazilian after United’s 2-1 FA Cup defeat by Manchester City. Fred’s poor tackle led to the free kick from which Ilkay Gundogan scored City’s second goal.
“Fred had Kevin De Bruyne where he wants him,” Keane told ITV. “De Bruyne has his back to goal and then Fred fouls him. It’s the height of stupidity. But we’ve seen that from him so many times over the years.”
In November 2021, Keane slated both players following a 2-0 defeat by City. He claimed that neither were good enough to play for the club.
Asked if the performance was as bad as a recent 5-0 thrashing against Liverpool, Keane bluntly said: “It felt worse. They were happy to keep the ball and toyed with United. So poor. The difference in class, decision making, everything. It was men vs boys.
“United are so off it it’s unbelievable. [Phil] Foden said it’s a tough place to come. It’s not. Ask Everton, ask Aston Villa, ask Liverpool. Teams are getting joy. I know the away record over the last few years has been fantastic but it’s what you do at home that sets you up to win trophies.
“The goal at half time killed it. They needed to go in at half time 1-0 and regroup. United are just so poor. We go back to what I look for – characters. McTominay, I know he’s learning his trade. Fred as a midfielder, these players just aren’t good enough for Manchester United.
“It was so comfortable for City. Foden’s getting interviewed there…the way I look at it, after a derby game, you should be drained, you should be exhausted and have no energy left. He was chatting there as if he had a training game.”
According to journalist Alan Nixon, McTominay is supposedly set to join West Ham alongside United team-mate Harry Maguire. The Mail Online add that Galatasaray have been in talks with Fred over a potential transfer.