‘Should not be at the club’ – Keane blasts Manchester United duo for poor performance

Roy Keane believes Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire should not be at Manchester United if they do not improve.

The Maguire-Lindelof defensive partnership was necessitated by the injuries to first-choice options Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.

When Varane was injured during Thursday’s Europa League duel against Sevilla, Maguire was called on, but the Red Devils ended up throwing away the lead to draw 2-2 at Old Trafford as the English defender scored a late own goal.

Maguire and Lindelof were paired again when United played against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, with Martinez ruled out for the rest of the season while Varane will be out for a few weeks, according to the club.

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"I think they always are [playing for their futures]," Keane told Sky Sports. "These lads are not first choice, but the reason they’re at Manchester United is when you get your opportunity, you take it.

"These are experienced international footballers so coming in against a Forest team which are struggling, you’d expect them to perform.

"Obviously, they need the players in front of them to give them some sort of protection, but listen, Maguire and Lindelof, you’re playing for Man United for a reason, we expect you to deal with a Forest attack, or else you shouldn’t be at the club."

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With Varane and Martinez out for the immediate future, Maguire and Lindelof are Erik ten Hag’s natural fall back options at the back.

Their performance will continue to attract the spotlight, criticism, or maybe praise depending on their individual or collective performance. United have had to deal with serious injury cases at a time they remain in three competitions.