Salute to Roy Keane

Much as I dislike the man as an arrogant Manchester player, sometimes you need to listen to his words. And sadly, it applies to Liverpool as well:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/4438523.stm

Keane slams poor Man Utd displays

Keane has not been impressed

Roy Keane has criticised his Manchester United team-mates, claiming some are failing to give 100% to the club.

"Results don't lie and the table doesn't lie. Our performance levels have not been good enough.

"Everyone at this club needs to look at themselves and ask whether they are giving 100% to the football club.

"I am not sure all the players can say they are. That is a crime in itself. People are sick of excuses and we're running out of them," he told MUTV.

Keane was forced to watch Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Norwich on television after being omitted ahead of this weekend's FA Cup semi-final with Newcastle.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson refused to talk to the media after the game.

And Keane, who last season highlighted a lack of professionalism among the younger members of United's squad, has decided it is time to speak out.

He also placed serious question marks over players routinely earning over £50,000-a-week and insisted Ferguson was not to blame.

"How many chances should a player get? You can bring a horse to water but you cannot make it drink.

"The manager provides everything for the players. Everything they want, they get.

"All they have to do is come into training every single day with the attitude of trying to help the team improve.

"It is not about individuals. You can have the most talented players in the world but if you do not play as a team, I guarantee you will win absolutely nothing.

"Every player should be fighting for their place at this club," he said.

"Going back over the years, when we have been at the top of our game, players never took their places in the team or position at the club for granted.

"That is what made them really good players and what made us an outstanding team.

"It is all right having a laugh in the dressing room but maybe there has been too much laughter. You can go too far the other way.

"What matters is what happens on the pitch. We have talented players at this club, that is obvious, but talent without work rate and pride is a waste of time."

Keane added that United cannot afford to slip-up in Sunday's semi-final against Newcastle.

"We should go into Sunday's game looking to win it, but we should do that in every game," he said.

"Sunday's game is no bigger than last Saturday's.

"It doesn't matter whether it is Newcastle, Norwich, Arsenal or AC Milan, you treat every game the same, prepare as well as you can and give 100%.