Roy Keane dismisses Erik ten Hag’s praise of Man Utd’s Anthony Martial in Arsenal defeat

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was pleased with Anthony Martial’s performance despite his side’s defeat to Arsenal, though Roy Keane was unconvinced by the Frenchman

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Erik ten Hag not happy with decisions in the game with Arsenal

Roy Keane has rejected Erik ten Hag’s claim that Anthony Martial put in a “very good performance” against Arsenal on Sunday.

Martial started for United at the Emirates Stadium, but was hauled off after 67 minutes having failed to make much of an impact. The Frenchman has just one year remaining on his contract and has failed to live up to his price tag since arriving from Monaco in 2015.

Now, with Rasmus Hojlund back to fitness, Martial faces a battle to keep his starting spot. But while Hojlund impressed in his cameo against the Gunners, Ten Hag insisted he was happy with Martial’s performance up-front.

“I think he [Rasmus] played very good. But also I think Anthony Martial’s was a very good performance, so I was pleased and definitely I think Rasmus Hojlund had [a] very good impact on the game,” Ten Hag said.

“I think the performance is right from us. I think we played [a] very good game. But everything went against us and then, of course, then you don’t win the game and if [we had] a little bit more luck, you win the game.

“We are more compact, very good defending, high block, lower block. Everyone was involved and then we break like the first goal. I think on the ball we were calm and of course I see definitely also room for improvement and I see the moment where we can go forward.

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Erik ten Hag praised Anthony Martial for his display against Arsenal, though Roy Keane was left unconvinced by the Frenchman (

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James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

“We missed, I think, some passes forward, but then it could have hurt them more. But I think, overall, I’m happy with the performance from the team. We have to improve, definitely. But you see, and also what we have seen last year, we can beat everyone.”

Keane was unconvinced by Ten Hag’s arguments about Martial’s display on Sunday though. Instead, the United legend believes that the Arsenal defence were comfortable facing the Frenchman.

“I think the manager will be pleased with the performance, but if you look at the bigger picture, there’s massive problems at the club. You look at the defence at the end of the game, I know there’s injuries,” he told Sky Sports.

“But the lads coming on, Maguire, they’re trying to move him on, and Jonny Evans. I like Jonny, but he left Man United seven or eight years ago because they didn’t think he was good enough. He’s coming on today.

“So they’re really stretched with the injuries and again we look at the new striker comes on today, Hojlund. You look at Martial, the manager praised him, but I don’t think he got a kick, he didn’t do too much.

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“So there’s still those problems for United. I think there was spirit and fight there today, I can’t really be too hard on them. But in terms of the bigger picture, in terms of trying to at least compete with Man City, I think they’re way off it.”

The Premier League will now take a week off for the international break, though Martial will remain with United having missed out on selection for the France squad for their games against the Republic of Ireland and Germany.

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