KEANE: OLD PALS’ ACT TO BLAME

conscious of that. It was just what we decided to go with.” United went ahead through Jadon Sancho but Jorginho levelled with a penalty.

Carrick said: “I don’t think it was a penalty. They have had a lot of shots and David De Gea had two saves. We knew before the game he would have to make one or two.

“Other than that I have felt quite comfortable. Of course we want to be better. I’m not getting carried away but I thought we defended well.

“I can’t fault the boys one bit. I’m proud of the players and the group. It’s been a tough week – a difficult situation we tried to make the best of.”

But Keane fumed: “I disagreed with everything he said in that interview.

It’s clearly a penalty. He’s talking about players’ efforts and saying he’s proud of them.

“He’s been working with the players for months.

“He was in the dugout with Ole. All of sudden he’s proud of them and they have a plan? What about the other games? We’ve seen all the stats – they’ve been the worst in the league in closing people down.

“Praising players for doing their jobs. Mention the three midfielders?”

Keane (above) claimed an “old pals’ act” was holding back the club.

He added: “I wouldn’t be one for that, getting rid of all the staff. But they have to be held accountable, some of them because they weren’t just with Ole, they were with Mourinho as well. Are they going to stay on with the new manager?”

Asked if they should have stayed, he added: “Not if they’re not up to the job. And some of the staff have been there for a number of years. I get the impression at Man United – whether it’s the backroom staff or people upstairs – that it’s an element of jobs for the boys.

“Wink, wink – look after each other. That’s why they’re eighth or ninth in the league.

“People talk about loyalty in the game, if you want loyalty go get yourself a dog. You’ve got to work with people who are good at their jobs.”