Roy Keane Questions Manchester United's Title Chances Despite Midfield Improvements

Roy Keane has welcomed Manchester United’s growing midfield options – but he doesn’t believe they are anywhere near enough to turn the club into title winners.

Speaking on Stick to Football, the former United captain weighed up the planned arrival of Carlos Baleba and the impact of Kobbie Mainoo, who shone under Michael Carrick last season, and delivered a blunt verdict: good, but not good enough.

“I think that’s a good way of putting it, a good midfield,” Keane said when asked if Baleba’s signing would complete the unit. “But if you’re on about winning the league, I think it’s short.”

Keane: Defence still United’s “big problem”

Keane accepted that United now carry real depth and threat in the middle of the pitch, pointing to the attacking output that surged once Carrick took charge last season.

“That midfield and going forward, there is a big goal threat at United, they were very good last year with it, especially when Carrick took over they were a real goal threat,” he said.

The praise stopped there. For Keane, any talk of a title push collapses the moment you look behind that midfield.

“United’s big problems are still going to be defensively,” he warned. “The issue is at the back, the full-backs and the two centre-halves are still a big issue.”

On paper, he accepts, the midfield looks strong. In a title race, he simply doesn’t buy it.

“But on paper, they [the midfield] jump out as really good players. But is there a league-winning midfield there? Probably not. No, I don’t see it.”

Tielemans deal seen as “safety bet”

The arrival of Youri Tielemans for £35m has been framed as a smarter, more controlled piece of business after the expensive Casemiro gamble. Keane broadly agrees with that assessment – but he is clear about the ceiling.

“Tielemans is a safety bet for United,” he said. He pointed to recent history: “Over the last few years, Casemiro is a good example, players have come in huge money, big wages.”

This time, United have opted for a player who already knows the Premier League, has a solid international pedigree and has handled Old Trafford before with Aston Villa.

“Tielemans knows the Premier League, is a good international, having gone to Old Trafford with Vila and had success he will be fine with the expectation,” Keane said.

Then came the sting.

“But will he get United to the very top? No.”

For Keane, United have upgraded their options and added reliability. The question he leaves hanging over the new season is harsher: have they actually closed the gap on the teams who win leagues, or just made their midfield look better on paper while the defence tells the same old story?