David Moyes sacked: Roy Keane says Manchester United players 'should be ashamed'

Keane also defends Sir Alex Ferguson for his role in hand-picking Moyes as his successor and feels that the squad have a lot to answer to after the manager was sacked on Tuesday

Jack de Menezes

Thursday 24 April 2014 02:16 BST

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has tore into the current crop of players after David Moyes was sacked by admitting “some of the players should be ashamed of themselves”.

Keane was speaking on ITV ahead of the Champions League semi-final first leg between Atletico Madrid and Chelsea – a drab 0-0 affair in the Spanish capital – and the Republic of Ireland assistant manager felt that Moyes should have been given more time to turn things around, even though he did not have the support of the players.

“He (Moyes) had a hard start,” Keane stressed. “Last summer, when he took the job, the chief executive didn't get the deals done and they had a slow start.”

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United suffered a torrid time in the summer transfer window, missing out on early deals for prime targets Thiago Alcantara and Gareth Bale before failing to prise away Ander Herrera, Leighton Baines and Cesc Fabregas from their respective clubs. Even Marouane Fellaini, the one player they did sign, cost them £4m more than a release clause Moyes inserted in the midfielder’s contract during his time at Everton.

“I think it's a shame - he should have been given more time,” Keane continued. “Some of the players should be ashamed of themselves because they really let him down.”

The 42-year-old made reference to ‘The Chosen One’ nickname given to Moyes after Sir Alex Ferguson hand-picked his compatriot to succeed him at Old Trafford. It was a name that Moyes was not a fan of, and Keane feels that criticism of Ferguson for choosing Moyes is harsh given that the decision was still up to the club’s owners, the Glazer family.

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

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1/11The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Jurgen Klopp

Currently the manager of Borussia Dortmund, Klopp coached his team to the Champions League final in 2013. He also delivered back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2010/11 and 2011/12, despite Dortmund being in the financial shadow of Bayern Munich. All of that was achieved while playing a distinctive attractive style of football. After six years at the club, it could be time for the 46-year-old German to move on, however he has already said he is happy to stay.

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The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Fabio Capello

The former England manager has coached the likes of Real Madrid, AC Milan, Juventus and Roma. He now resides over the Russian national team who topped their group in qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil to ensure they are at the biggest tournament of them all for the first time since 2002.

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The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Louis van Gaal

Dutchman Van Gaal will be leading his national side at this year's World Cup in Brazil. He has taken charge of both Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the past and won the Champions League in 1995 with Ajax. In total, he has won over 60 per cent of his 780 games in management and he's made it very clear he covets a position in the Premier League. Heavily linked with Tottenham prior to David Moyes' sacking.

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The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Sir Alex Ferguson

Considering he's at every game anyway, a switch from the stands back to the dug-out doesn't seem inconceivable for Sir Alex Ferguson. It'd certainly be a popular choice among fans having achieved so much success in his long time in charge. The winner of 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Champions League titles, if there's anyone who can succeed Ferguson, it's Ferguson.

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The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Jose Mourinho

Since returning for a second spell at Chelsea last summer, the Special One has been saying he wants to see out his career at Stamford Bridge. Yet prior to returning to west London, it was an open secret he coveted the Old Trafford hot seat. If United want to turn their fortunes around, no other manager can provide the kind of guarantees of success that Mourinho can.

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The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Frank De Boer

Although his managerial experience is relatively small in comparison to other potentials, he has already shown he can win domestically. Since taking over at Ajax in 2010, in his first job as manager, De Boer has won the Eredivisie in three consecutive attempts, with his team currently well clear at the top of the league this season. Has been regularly linked with the biggest vacancies in Europe.

The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Antonio Conte

Winner of the Serie A manager of the year in 2011-12 and 2012-13 after leading Juventus to the title in those seasons, as well as a Champions League winners medal to his name as a player, Conte has pedigree. Since taking charge in Turin three years ago, the Italian has returned Juventus to the dominant force in Italy, with the club destined to win their third title in a row this term. That kind of dominance is exactly what United crave.

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The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Diego Simeone

Simeone has been enjoying much success since taking over at Atletico Madrid. His excellent win rate has seen the club win the Europa League and Super Cup, and against all odds challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona for La Liga title this season. He'd have to hope his history with David Beckham didn't count against him if Manchester United came calling.

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The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Michael Laudrup

Despite a rather sudden and messy divorce from Swansea City earlier this year, Laudrup did show he was capable of managing at the highest level. He won the League Cup with the Welsh club, the first major trophy in the club's history, and he did it with a brand of football that won many plaudits. A legend as a player, the Dane has the gravitas for such a huge position as Manchester United manager.

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The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Harry Redknapp

Currently manager of QPR, Redknapp has often been a fan favourite across English football, winning manager of the year in 2009/10 as well as the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008. At one stage he looked a certainty to be the next England manager, only to lose out to Roy Hodgson.

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The next Manchester United manager: Those linked with the Old Trafford hot seat

Ex-United players

If Manchester United were to choose from one of their own, they would have plenty of ex-players to pick from. Ryan Giggs is the most obvious choice after being installed on a temporary basis after Moyes' departure. Others in management who served as a player under Sir Alex Ferguson include Roy Keane, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, both Neville brothers and Steve Bruce. Mark Hughes played for United along with Gordon Strachan and Laurent Blanc. While none of them have particularly overachieved in any of their positions, a former player tends to be popular with fans, and can be rewarded with success.

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“You can't be critical of Sir Alex Ferguson,” he added. “It wasn't necessarily his pick, he put his name forward but the club made the decision.

“To be seventh in the league is disappointing and you still have to take responsibility for that but he didn't have the support of the players.”

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Following the match, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho also offered his support towards Moyes, admitting that he felt “sorry” for his fellow manager just like he would for anyone that gets sacked.

“I prefer not to comment,” said Mourinho. “I feel sorry for him, obviously, but I make no comments.

“I just feel sorry for David like I feel sorry for every manager who loses his job.”

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