Roy Keane launches scathing attack on United individuals

Roy Keane has got the battle fever on once more, and he's laying into Manchester United at all levels for their conduct throughout the Moyes regime.

Bearing the brunt of his attack were Chris Smalling and Phil Jones:

"They've had a platform for the last couple of years. We were told two or three years ago Jones was going to be the new Duncan Edwards, Smalling was this ... I've watched United live nine, 10 times this year and they have been none of those things. If anything I think they have gone backwards. I've actually been a big fan of them - yes, give them a chance, you say you have to give players a chance to mature but also you've got players who you say we've given you a chance and you're not taking it.

"They need to do a lot better if they want to cement their place at Man United and United to win trophies. Jones needs to toughen up. Every time I see him he is getting carried off. He's got to toughen up - he's playing for Man United. They have to recruit in the summer - they might get two."

POW!

Also in for rough treatment were United's... well, 'midfielders':

"It's the spine of the team. United have come up short defensively and in the middle of the park they have not done enough. You watch any of the teams that are winning trophies, Jesus I'm stating the obvious, you've got to have a strong spine, goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and striker and United have been short in two of those areas. It makes it very difficult to win trophies."

Keane also chose to, as usual, set himself aside from most pundits by deflecting the fire away from David Moyes and onto a man who has escaped criticism from certain quarters of the English media:

"He had one transfer window, and it's not always down to the manager when players don't come in. I think Ed Woodward needs to look at himself. He's got to get deals done. I think he should have been given more time. I was happy with David Moyes. I think Van Gaal is a good choice. Only time will tell. He's managed big clubs."

Fierce stuff as usual. And, depressingly, mostly on the money.