Keane Blasts Ugarte and Casemiro After Man Utd Midfield Collapse in Leeds Loss
Roy Keane didn’t hold back after Manchester United’s 2-1 home defeat to Leeds United, calling out midfielders Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro for what he described as a “non-existent” performance. The Red Devils started slowly at Old Trafford, conceded twice in the first half, and despite pulling one back through Casemiro late on, couldn’t recover against a determined Leeds side.
Keane’s Scathing Midfield Assessment
Speaking on Sky Sports, the former United captain zeroed in on the lack of energy and quality from the central pairing. “Midfield? Non-existent, the two of them, particularly in the first half, no energy, no quality,” Keane said. He contrasted United’s lethargic start with Manchester City’s second-half intensity the day before, stressing that elite teams must “run” — something he felt United failed to do until it was too late.
Ugarte has now been on the winning side in just one of his ten starts this season, raising further questions about his fit in the squad. Casemiro, while scoring United’s only goal with a header in the 69th minute, was otherwise anonymous for large stretches — especially before the break.
Context Around the Defeat
Leeds struck early through Noah Okafor, who doubled his tally by the 29th minute to put the visitors firmly in control. The match took another dramatic turn when Lisandro Martinez was controversially sent off following a VAR review for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair — a decision manager Michael Carrick called “one of the worst I’ve seen.”
Carrick admitted his side lacked rhythm and failed to click, though he praised their second-half fight. He also referenced an earlier incident where Leny Yoro appeared to suffer a forearm smash to the head that went unpunished, suggesting key refereeing calls went against United in consecutive matches.
What This Means for United’s Season
This loss halts what had been a promising run under interim boss Carrick, who took over after Rúben Amorim’s surprise sacking. Bruno Fernandes recently claimed the team “were building something” under the Portuguese manager, but results since then have been inconsistent.
With mounting pressure on the club’s hierarchy, reports suggest talks to appoint Carrick’s permanent replacement are accelerating. Meanwhile, fan frustration is growing over recurring issues: slow starts, poor midfield control, and questionable officiating decisions.
Key problems exposed:
- Lack of midfield urgency and pressing
- Over-reliance on individual moments rather than structured buildup
- Defensive vulnerability when caught flat-footed
- Refereeing controversies compounding on-field struggles
Looking Ahead
United now face a critical stretch in their schedule. How they respond mentally and tactically will reveal whether this setback becomes a turning point or another symptom of deeper dysfunction. For Ugarte and Casemiro, Keane’s public criticism adds fuel to ongoing debates about squad depth and selection — especially with summer transfer plans looming.
While Casemiro remains a respected veteran, his declining mobility may limit his role in high-intensity fixtures. Ugarte, brought in as a dynamic ball-winner, has yet to consistently deliver the energy United need in central areas.
Key takeaways
- Roy Keane singled out Ugarte and Casemiro for a passive, ineffective midfield display in the 2-1 loss to Leeds.
- Manchester United started poorly, conceded twice early, and never fully recovered despite a late Casemiro goal.
- Lisandro Martinez’s red card (for hair-pulling) and an unpunished foul on Yoro fueled Carrick’s post-match frustration.
- The defeat disrupts recent momentum under interim manager Michael Carrick and intensifies scrutiny on squad composition.
- Transfer and managerial decisions are expected to accelerate as United risk falling further behind in the top-four race.
— Editorial Team
