Roy Keane Manchester United Aston Villa late equaliser Zion Suzuki, Digi Mart USA News (Old Trafford, Manchester): Roy Keane has said football is a contact sport in response to claims that Manchester United fouled Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki before scoring a late equaliser. Suzuki flapped at a Bruno Fernandes corner kick that Patrick Dorgu headed home in the sixth minute of second-half added time to rescue a point at Old Trafford before the November international break.
However, both Matheus Cunha and Senne Lammens appeared to make contact with the Japan international, potentially impeding him. Unai Emery had seen enough after the goal and stormed down the tunnel.
Keane, speaking on Super Sunday, said there can be no complaints about the goal.
Keane said: “I don’t think Suzuki gives himself the best chance of getting it. He’s underneath it; he should take a step back and attack it.” He added: “And there are bodies in the way.
Yeah, I suppose [Lammens turns his back], but lots is going on, and football is a contact sport. I have no problem.”
Keane also said a goalkeeper in this situation should take command of the box. “If he’s talking about being blocked and pushed, why doesn’t he do that to the opposition players?” he said.
“He’s got to be aggressive and take command of it, and when the ball comes in, he’s on his heels.”
Keane was also unimpressed by Michael Carrick’s tetchy post-match remarks. United’s head coach had a back-and-forth with Sky Sports reporter Patrick Davison during his press conference, almost asking as many questions as he answered.
Keane said: “It’s obviously difficult for the manager; he’s under pressure, no doubt.”
Keane added: “He talks a lot but doesn’t say much; I don’t know if that’s a tactic; he’s like a politician. He’s clearly under pressure and keeps saying, ‘We need to tighten up, and there are things we need to work on.’ They’d better get moving on that.”
He concluded: “This is the worst start in how many years. These stats aren’t very good.
And they keep giving up goals and chances. What are they working on?
They need to do a lot better than that.”
