Roy Keane dismisses suggestions Man United may be fatigued following busy fixture schedule

Roy Keane has dismissed claims that Manchester United’s lacklustre first-half against Fulham may be down to fatigue following their Europa League trip to Real Betis on Thursday night.  

Erik ten Hag’s side defeated Fulham 2-1 in their FA Cup quarter-final tie at Old Trafford, with the Red Devil’s getting off to a slow start against the London side. 

They went a goal down just after half-time with Aleksandar Mitrovic putting the away side a goal up before receiving a red card later on in the match alongside his teammate Willian and manager Marco Silva. 

United would bounce back with Bruno Fernandes converting from the spot and Marcel Sabitzer getting the winner, to send United through to the semi-finals at Wembley. 

Yet, it’s been a busy few months for the club, who mathematically can still win multiple trophies this season, should they defeat Marco Silva’s side and advance to the finals of the Europa League. 

While it’s unlikely they’ll be able to advance ahead of Arsenal and Manchester City in the Premier League, the former captain was on hand at half-time to give his verdict on suggestions that United could be struggling with fatigue, after an away trip to Real Betis on Thursday night. 

Ten Hag’s side claimed a convincing 4-1 win in that game, sending them through to the next round of the tournament, but Keane claimed that United’s poor first-half showing against Fulham should not be attributed to tiredness.

‘I wouldn’t want to hear that type of talk even from the game the other night,’ Kean said when asked by Mark Pougatch if he thought the side were tired from that match. 

‘I think it’s difficult if you have an away game in Europe and you travel again when you come back from an away game. 

‘But I think then when you’re at home, he’s made one or two changes and that can not be any sort of excuse for a bad performance, I’m not having that.’

Keane also noted that most of United’s FA Cup draws had also been played at home this season. 

‘I think a lot of the games, certainly the cup games we we’re on about their home draws,’ he added. 

‘I don’t think it’s been a draining season yet, that’s all to come with the intensity of the games and obviously there will be a lot more at stake. That cannot come into play today for United if they don’t get over the line.’

More to follow…