Erik ten Hag and Roy Keane in awkward Man Utd confrontation - 'I'll be waiting'
Manchester United left it late but kicked off their 2024-25 Premier League campaign with a season-opening win over Fulham on Friday night, and Erik ten Hag was grilled by Sky Sports' pundits
Roy Keane and Erik ten Hag had a tense exchange over criticism aimed at Manchester United, with the Sky Sports pundit insisting: "I'll be waiting".
The Red Devils left it late but kicked off their 2024-25 Premier League campaign with a season-opening win over Fulham on Friday night. The game was heading towards a scoreless draw at Old Trafford - but summer signing Joshua Zirkzee ensured United would begin the campaign with a victory as he stretched to smartly direct home fellow substitute Alejandro Garnacho’s cross in the 87th minute.
Ten Hag was understandably delighted following the result, and spoke to Sky Sports to give his thoughts to Keane, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher. During the chat, it was Carragher and Neville who asked the majority of the questions, with Kelly Cates hosting Sky Sports' coverage.
Near the end of the interview, Ten Hag noticed that Keane had yet to ask a question and the manager said: "You’re quiet! You don’t want to kill the vibes?" Man Utd legend Keane responded: "Maybe next week!"
The pair then laughed, before former United midfielder Keane added: "I'll be waiting. Just keep winning... No problem!" Carragher and Neville awkwardly looked on before Ten Hag responded: "So simple."
Cates then brought Sky Sports' interview to an end, with Ten Hag seemingly in high spirits before parting ways with the three pundits. And the manager had plenty to smile about, having seen debutant Zirkzee hit the ground running.
It was Zirkzee's first appearance for the Red Devils, having reported late for pre-season after going to Euro 2024 with the Netherlands and the former Bologna forward enjoyed a debut to cherish.
“It is very good for a striker coming into Manchester United and to score the winning goal in his first game,” Ten Hag said. “I remember last season when Rasmus Hojlund in his first game scored a goal and we were all waiting on the halfway line, then VAR and after two minutes they came to the conclusion the ball was slightly over the line.
“Then it took long (for him to score his first Premier League goal) and he was so frustrated. For him, it’s very pleasing, very happy for him and that will encourage him. That will give him belief. For the fans, for everyone – it’s a very good start.”
Asked what made him want to sign Zirkzee, the United boss said: “There were more, he has some attributes we didn’t have. Straight (away) he showed it, but where he’s very good is his linking up, combinations.
“We have some good ball-playing offensive players, so they can take benefit from this. But what I wanted to say is he has to arrive in the box and to score goals, because the main attribute from a striker is score goals and he did. If it’s then the winner, then it’s very pleasing for everyone.”
Zirkzee was among three debutants on Friday night, with Noussair Mazraoui starting and Matthijs de Ligt brought off the bench following their Tuesday moves from Bayern Munich.
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