‘Don’t Start him’ – Roy Keane warning Ten hag about starting one Man Utd player against Crystal Palace

Manchester United's ongoing struggles on the football pitch have once again brought to the forefront concerns surrounding the dynamics within the dressing room and the relationships between players and their manager. 

This issue has been a consistent point of contention, with former Manchester United captain and club legend Roy Keane repeatedly sounding alarms about the potential for player unrest undermining the authority of their managers.

Keane's concerns in this regard can be traced back to the time of Jose Mourinho's sacking in 2018. At that time, he accused certain players of evading responsibility and not upholding the professional standards expected at a club like Manchester United. 

He went as far as to criticize these players for hiding behind their manager and agents, actions that, in his view, contributed to Mourinho's eventual departure from the club.

This theme of player-manager dynamics persisted when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over as Manchester United's manager. Keane was particularly vocal in his criticism of the players following a humiliating 6-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in 2020. 

He characterized their performance as disgraceful and suggested that too many players were essentially "bluffers," individuals who, in his estimation, were more likely to undermine Solskjaer's tenure than contribute positively to the club's success.

Now, with Erik ten Hag at the helm, Manchester United finds itself facing a period of poor form, which has once again brought Keane's warnings into sharp focus. 

According to reports, some players within the squad have become increasingly frustrated with Ten Hag's management style. They point to what they perceive as favoritism within the squad, with certain players receiving preferential treatment. There are also concerns about Ten Hag's reluctance to single out specific players for criticism, even when their performances may warrant it.

This dissatisfaction among players extends to other areas, including perceived discrepancies in how different squad members are treated and concerns about Ten Hag's tactical choices. 

One specific issue causing unrest is the absence of Antony from the squad, which has created a void on the right wing. Mason Mount, originally signed as a central midfielder, may be asked to fill this role, a move that has not sat well with some players.

The recurrence of these internal issues underscores the enduring challenges within Manchester United's dressing room. Keane's cautions about player-manager relationships appear to have gone largely unheeded by the club's leadership, and the specter of dressing room unrest looms large as Ten Hag grapples with the task of revitalizing the team's season.

Manchester United's recent struggles on the field, which include losses in four of their first six games in all competitions, have intensified concerns about the squad's unity and commitment. 

The weight of these issues may have broader implications for the club, with questions arising about the ability of the manager and leadership to address and resolve these concerns effectively.

In the modern era of football, where player power and influence can sometimes rival that of managers and clubs, achieving and maintaining a harmonious dressing room environment is a challenge that every club faces. 

Manchester United is no exception, and the ongoing saga of player-manager dynamics will undoubtedly be closely watched as the club strives for success and stability in a competitive football landscape.

The ultimate resolution of these internal issues remains uncertain, but their impact on Manchester United's fortunes, both in the immediate term and over the course of the season, will be closely scrutinized by fans, pundits, and football observers alike. 

It is a reminder that, in football, the battles on the field are often mirrored by the struggles off it, and achieving a delicate balance between player empowerment and managerial authority is an ongoing challenge for clubs at the highest level of the sport...more