Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
Former Manchester United captains Roy Keane and Gary Neville have delivered stinging criticism of defenders Leny Yoro and Diogo Dalot following the Red Devils’ defeat away to Aston Villa on Sunday.
United suffered their first loss at Villa Park since 1995 as a brilliant brace from Morgan Rogers powered Unai Emery’s side to their tenth consecutive victory of the season, keeping them firmly in the Premier League title race.
READ ALSO: Ferguson Tips Brazil as Team to Beat at 2026 World Cup, Backs Portugal as Dark Horse
While Rogers was widely praised for his individual brilliance, Keane questioned the desire and defensive commitment of Ruben Amorim’s side, singling out Dalot for particular criticism.
“You can have all the talent in the world, but we mention it time and time again, you’ve got to roll your sleeves up,” Keane said on Sky Sports after the match. “When the game gets a bit tired, or those moments, you go, ‘I’m going to do my bit for the team.’ There’s too many players, like Dalot, who just don’t do enough.”
Keane also criticised United’s defending in the build-up to Rogers’ second goal, with Dalot and Yoro struggling to contain Villa’s attackers. Some fans had earlier taken to social media to accuse Dalot of failing to apply pressure on Youri Tielemans near the corner flag before the goal.
“I won’t use the word ‘cheating’ but they’re not doing enough,” Keane added. “After the game, I’d be looking at him and asking, ‘Are you going to stop him?’ Same with the first goal—when Rogers gets the ball wide, we all know there’s danger. Do they not know there’s danger?”
Neville echoed Keane’s concerns, focusing on Yoro’s role in the opening goal and describing the French defender as slow to react.
“That is so, so special from Morgan Rogers,” Neville said while analysing the goal. “But as Yoro doesn’t go and close him down on that first touch… he ambles. I thought, ‘Uh oh, you could be in trouble here,’ because Rogers can do that.”
Neville added that Yoro should have been more aggressive in his approach, insisting the defender needed to confront Rogers earlier and prevent him from advancing into a dangerous area.
The defeat has intensified scrutiny on Manchester United’s defensive performances as they continue to search for consistency under Amorim, while Aston Villa’s impressive form shows no sign of slowing.