Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane has identified the biggest weakness in one current Manchester United star, despite praising how “brilliant” he has been this season.
Manchester United punched their ticket to the FA Cup final after a dramatic penalty shootout win against Coventry City on Sunday at Wembley.
The Red Devils looked all but certain to reach the final after taking control of the semi-final tie with a 3-0 lead in the second half.
However, United suffered a mega collapse in the second half and Coventry City rallied back into the contest to send the tie to extra time and penalties.
Casemiro missed the opening spot-kick for United in the shootout, while Callum O’Hare and Ben Sheaf both failed to convert from their penalties for Coventry City.
Rasmus Hojlund scored the winning penalty for United in the 4-2 shootout win, as the Red Devils knocked a resilient Coventry City out of the FA Cup.
Erik ten Hag’s men are in for a repeat of last season’s FA Cup final after Manchester City beat Chelsea in the semi-finals to book their place at Wembley in May.
The United boss came within touching distance of the FA Cup last season, only for crosstown rivals Manchester City to secure a 2-1 win in the final at Wembley.
READ MORE: Man Utd fans have a lot to say about Casemiro after dramatic FA Cup semi-final win vs Coventry City
Keane talks Man Utd star’s weakness
Erik ten Hag, who has faced mounting speculation over his future, was forced to watch on as Manchester United avoided a stunning upset in the FA Cup semi-finals.
The Dutchman has had to weather the storm over a lacklustre United season and could still end the campaign on a high note with major silverware in his hands.
Ten Hag was criticised over his tactics in the thrilling FA Cup tie against Coventry City, including his decision to sub off Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
Kobbie Mainoo has been enjoying an incredible breakout season at Old Trafford and has become a key midfield presence for the Red Devils under Ten Hag.
However, Ten Hag made the decision to withdraw Mainoo when United were leading 3-1 and replaced him with midfielder Christian Eriksen in the second half.
Roy Keane, who is a big fan of Mainoo, has admitted that the 19-year-old Stockport-born United player “lacks” physicality in his playing style.
However, the United legend insisted that Mainoo is a “smart” footballer and has “done brilliant” for the Red Devils in the current campaign.
“He lacks that physicality. He’s not six foot. But he’s smart,” Keane said ahead of kick-off, as per the Metro.
“He’s neat and tidy. He’s had a brilliant few months and there’s a chance he will go with England [to Euro 2024 this summer].
“He’s done brilliant. We’ve seen all parts of his play. He’s smart, the way he covers. The fact he’s got quite a few important goals.
“Scott McTominay is next to him, who is a bit more athletic, which helps him out. Let’s hope he keeps it up.”
Ten Hag’s reaction to Man Utd vs Coventry City
Ten Hag admitted that he had “mixed feelings” after United fended off an embarrassing exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Coventry City.
Speaking after the FA Cup match (via Manchester United’s official website), he said: “It’s mixed feelings. The way we did it isn’t OK.
“We should have managed it better but it’s a huge performance. If you analyse the game, we controlled 75 minutes but then allowed them to return into the game. We can be happy with the achievement, getting to the final, that’s huge.
“If you see [where] United was, in the last 20 seasons, five times in the FA Cup final and now we are twice there in two years.
“We need to win that final, though. When we [are] 100 per cent in it then we can do it.”