'Recruitment not good enough' - Everything Roy Keane said as he lets rip on Sheffield United and Chris Wilder

Sheffield United fell to their 21st defeat from 26 on Sunday night as Liverpool came away with a 2-0 victory at Bramall Lane.
Former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland player Roy Keane has criticised the recruitment at Sheffield United with the Blades bottom of the Premier League and heading for the Championship. (Photo by NICK POTTS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland player Roy Keane has criticised the recruitment at Sheffield United with the Blades bottom of the Premier League and heading for the Championship. (Photo by NICK POTTS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland player Roy Keane has criticised the recruitment at Sheffield United with the Blades bottom of the Premier League and heading for the Championship. (Photo by NICK POTTS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

It was another one of those nights when the Blades conceded poor goals and failed to make the most of the few chances they created themselves, with Curtis Jones and a heavily deflected effort from Roberto Firmino sealing the win for the reigning champions.

Afterwards boss Chris Wilder bemoaned the slack defending and pointed out the difference in resources he has available to him compared to most in the Premier League with relegation an almost certainty this season.

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That led to one pundit calling out on what he felt was the main reason why the Blades are preparing for life in the Championship again next season – recruitment.

Sheffield United's Oli McBurnie reacts to a missed chance during the Premier League match against Liverpool at Bramall Lane. Oli Scarff/PA Wire.Sheffield United's Oli McBurnie reacts to a missed chance during the Premier League match against Liverpool at Bramall Lane. Oli Scarff/PA Wire.
Sheffield United's Oli McBurnie reacts to a missed chance during the Premier League match against Liverpool at Bramall Lane. Oli Scarff/PA Wire.

Manchester United legend Roy Keane said the United squad ‘isn't good enough’ and the players brought in, particularly this season, aren’t up to the quality needed to put up a challenge in the top flight.

Here’s everything Keane said as he let rip on why Wilder and United are currently bottom of the table on 11 points.

"[Wilder] is clearly upset and disappointed. I don't think I've ever heard anyone criticise Sheffield United's effort and spirit and desire and determination and no doubt he's got some brilliant pros at his football club but where they have come up short this season and the summer is the recruitment. They've just come up short.

"Chris mentioned there they are buying players from the Championship to come up and play in the Premiership and there's always a gamble with that. Last year it worked for them, their first season in the Premiership, the feel-good factor, they had a good start to the season, momentum, but this year…

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"He's talking about the goals that they've been giving away, I don’t think that's their biggest problem, there are a good few teams who have conceded more than Sheffield United, it their goals for. I think in 26 games they've got 15 goals, it's not good enough.

"For all their effort and bits and pieces, they've had chances and didn’t take them. They probably have four or five strikers at the top end of the pitch who haven't been good enough.

"Last year I listened to a lot of Chris Wilder, I have huge respect for Chris Wilder, I think he's done a brilliant job but he got the plaudits last year but this year if you lose 21 matches in 26 games you are going to have to be criticised. And we can sit here and say they have a great bunch of lads. I'm sure they have, well they have I know some of them, I've worked with them, some of the best lads you'll meet, but you need more than that in the Premier League.

"Last year I listened to a lot of Chris' interviews after the games. 'We have earned the right to be in this league, we've earned the right. We are going to enjoy it, we are going to go for it.’ Where as this year in his interviews he's going, "well we're up against it, we're up against big squads." He mentioned Newcastle there, but last year you earned the right. Don't think that for one minute you're not good enough to deal with this kind of demand. They have not been good enough.

"Chris Wilder, has he become a bad coach overnight? Absolutely not. He's done an amazing job over the last two or three years, brilliant coach but the recruitment this summer hasn’t been good enough and the players that have come into the club haven't improved the team. If you lose 21 games out of 26, you are going to have to take some sort of stick.”