‘Far too easy!’ – Roy Keane blasts Man Utd star over Brennan Johnson’s winner for Spurs

Roy Keane has taken aim at Harry Maguire for failing to clear the ball and ‘multitask’ after Brennan Johnson’s winning goal in Manchester United’s Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.

The scruffy 42nd-minute strike proved decisive as Spurs brought their 17-year wait for silverware to an end in Wednesday night’s cagey, all-English affair at Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium.

Despite sitting 17th in the Premier League, the north London outfit ensured they will be playing Champions League football next season, with Ange Postecoglou delivering on his promise to lift a trophy in his second season.

United, meanwhile, are once again left to lick their wounds at the end of what has been a wretched campaign – and a dejected a Ruben Amorim even offered to walk away ‘without compensation’ after the final whistle.

Domestically, the Red Devils are set to finish with their lowest-ever points tally in the league – and the club’s latest setback confirmed this season was their worst in over half a century.

Johnson’s scrambled effort in the closing stages of the first half in many ways epitomised the contest as a whole and it was initially unclear whether the Welshman had even got the last touch on the ball.

Andre Onana received heavy criticism over his involvement from fans and pundits alike, but legendary ex-United captain Keane instead focussed his attentions on Maguire’s decision-making in the build-up.

‘It’s a huge moment. There was a real lack of quality and they’ve [United] almost brought their league form to the table,’ Keane said in the CBS Sports studio at the half-time break.

‘But there’s been tension, obviously, and Spurs managed to get their noses in front.

‘We mentioned before the game about getting bodies in there, United having bodies back, but not obviously not doing defensive job.

‘I think Maguire has got to focus on clearing the ball. Johnson does a brilliant run, obviously nice and aggressive. United have enough bodies back but they are not doing enough. Again, there are question marks over the goalkeeper.’

Rewatching replays of the goal after Spurs held on for victory in Spain, Keane pointed the finger at Maguire, blasting the defender for getting sucked into a tussle with Dominic Solanke.

‘Spurs aren’t doing anything extraordinary, it’s all pretty simple play,’ Keane added.

‘That’s where you have to be really critical of United’s defensive shape and decision-making.

‘We discussed before the game, when it does go wide and the ball’s put in… players not doing their jobs, not concentrating, [Luke] Shaw maybe not match fit, Maguire focussed on his man.

‘Remember there’s only one ball. Just focus on the ball sometimes.’

On Maguire, Keane continued: ‘We ask our defenders, people talk about midfielders doing their job… you’ve got to multitask.

‘You’ve got to be able to do this [grapple] and still clear the ball.

‘It’s as if like, “I’ve got my man here!”, but no, you’ve got to multitask and do more than one job.

‘It’s far too easy. It’s been like that all season for United, far too easy.’

Keane’s CBS Sports colleague, Micah Richards, also questioned Maguire’s defending for the goal.

‘You talk about people’s body positions, you talk about being very aggressive so, actually, they’re in decent positions,’ the former Manchester City and England defender said.

‘When you play wing-back in this side, the whole point of playing wing-back in this system is so you can engage, but no one engages.

‘It’s too easy and then can Maguire a little bit better there also?’

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