Richard Keys issues sarcastic Gary Lineker dismissal over Man United failure
Richard Keys has scoffed in reaction to recent comments from Gary Lineker about Man United’s major failings and Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Red Devils have endured another difficult campaign this season, which continued with a penalty shootout defeat to Fulham in the fifth round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford on Sunday (2 March).
That means the only hope for silverware for Ruben Amorim‘s side between now and the summer is the Europa League.
It is a situation that has now led to Alejandro Garnacho issuing an apology to supporters of Man United.
Meanwhile there has been plenty of analysis of the struggles that are currently ongoing at Old Trafford, leading to a dig from Keys to Lineker.
Gary Lineker ‘repeats’ Richard Keys’ claim on Sir Alex Ferguson
Man United are already mathematically out of the running for the Premier League title this season, with rivals Liverpool the runaway leaders.
That means they have still not been champions of England since Sir Alex Ferguson retired at the end of the 2012/13 season.
| Man United last six seasons | Premier League position |
| 2019/20 | 3rd |
| 2020/21 | 2nd |
| 2021/22 | 6th |
| 2022/23 | 3rd |
| 2023/24 | 8th |
| 2024/25 | 14th* |
But for all the success Ferguson delivered at Old Trafford, he did come under fire from Lineker after the Red Devils’ defeat to Fulham at the weekend.
The Match of the Day presenter suggested that Ferguson had left those who replaced him with a poor squad to work with that would not be capable of competing consistently for the top trophies.
Keys though has now taken aim at the former England international for making that comment, claiming Lineker is simply repeating what he said many years ago.
Writing in his blog about Lineker’s comments on Ferguson, the presenter said: “Gary Lineker is making headlines today for suggesting Fergie left a poor team. Brilliant.
“I said that the season he actually left. That title winning side was a poor one – with huge cracks papered over by Van Persie and Scholes, who’d come out of retirement to help win it.
“After Fergie had gone I said United were eight players short of being a good team. Great spot Gary – a decade or so later.”
Keys then ended that paragraph directing a dig at the pundit by including a yawning face emoji to underline the sarcasm behind his point.
Man United have bigger things to worry about than Gary Lineker/Richard Keys spat
Football Insider Verdict
Ultimately, which of Keys or Lineker made these claims about Ferguson and the squad he left behind him are not going to be a concern for those in charge at Old Trafford.
The fact is that right now Man United look a long way from the club that was so consistently competing right at the top of English and European football under the Scotsman.
Given the huge expectations there are at a club with that size and set-up, returning it to its former glories ought to be the major priority for all concerned.
That may not be easy to do though, given the suggestions it will take INEOS Jim Ratcliffe years to rectify the financial situation at Man United.
Having to navigate such problems mean there will be limits for the Red Devils to work within which will make success harder to come by.
Consequently damning bits of analysis such as this will likely continue for some time to come yet.