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Roy Keane calls on Manchester United to buy two defenders after 'poor performance' against PSV Eindhoven

The former United captain has not been impressed by Chris Smalling

Thursday 17 September 2015 09:26 BST

Roy Keane called Manchester United's performance 'poor' and says they must strengthen (Getty Images)

Roy Keane has told Manchester United they must sign more defenders if they are to mount a serious challenge for the Champions League.

The former United captain was unimpressed with the side's performance in their 2-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday night and

"Defensively I still think United are all over the place,' Keane said on ITV's Champions League highlights show.

"The money United have invested, going forward they will be fine and in midfield they are not too bad but I think they are crying out for centre-halves, definitely one, possibly two."

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

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1/22PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

PSG: Zoet 8

The goalkeeper was forced to make several stops throughout the game, particularly in the first half, but dealt with all of his tests with confidence.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Arias 4

The right-back struggled with Memphis’ pace down the flank and he was beaten by his former teammate several times. Received a yellow card for his foul on Young.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Bruma 7

Made some good clearances to get rid of Mata and Young’s efforts, but could not stop Memphis in his tracks in the build-up to the opener.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Moreno 5

The central defender made the horrific sliding tackle on Shaw that ended his game but worked well with Bruma in central defence.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Brenet 6

Set up Narsingh for a good early chance and helped deal with the threat of Young.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Propper 7

Worked hard in his defensive midfield position to deal with United’s attacks with ease.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Hendrix 6

Worked hard in his defensive midfield position to deal with United’s attacks with ease.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Guardrado 7

Was involved in the build-up to Narsingh’s goal and regularly combined with his teammates when PSV went on the attack. Limped off with an injury with 20 minutes to go but enjoyed a good game.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Narsingh 8

Was flagged offside several times in the first half, but remained a threat for the home side on the right flank and eventually got his goal with a lovely header past De Gea.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

De Jong 5

Was quiet throughout the match, and didn’t really have any clear-cut chances - working more to help Lestienne and Narsingh go for goal than himself.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Lestienne 8

Got the assist for Narsingh’s goal after beating Darmian and firing a superb cross to the winger. Had earlier tried his luck at scoring in the first half but drove his effort into the side netting. Although he didn’t get on the score-sheet, the winger put in a fine showing.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Man Utd: De Gea 6/10

Conceded two goals but was let down by his defence and could not do too much to keep Blind’s header and Narsingh’s strike out.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Darmian 4

Was beaten numerous times by Lestienne on the right flank, and was involved in a defensive mix-up with Smalling that gave away the corner kick that PSV equalised from – with the right-back being out-jumped by Moreno.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Smalling 6

Suffered one moment of miscommunication with Darmian which led to him having to head the ball out for a corner, which PSV scored from. The defender tested Zoet with a powerful strike in first half, though.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Blind 6

Was unfortunate to deflect Moreno’s header into the back of his own net, but did provide the ball that Memphis scored from. Started in central defence but shifted to left-back following Rojo’s introduction.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Shaw 6

In his 15-minute appearance, the left-back made a superb run forwards in attack but was at the end of a horrific challenge by Moreno that cut his game short.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Schweinsteiger 4

Slotted into central defence once Shaw came off and made a sloppy pass that allowed PSV to go on the attack from in the first half. He then couldn’t get his head to Lestienne’s cross that Narsingh scored the winner from.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Herrera 5

Went for goal in the second half but endured a quiet game and was hauled off with 15 minutes to go.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Young 5

Was often guilty of sending in several crosses into the area that failed to find anyone. His pace caused Brenet problems but, with no end product, Young was taken off towards the end of the second half for Antonio Valencia.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Mata 6

Provided some accurate balls to Memphis in the first period, but should have done better after being set up with a lovely ball by Schweinsteiger but failed to sort out his feet before Zoet collected the ball.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Depay 8

Scored the opener against his former side in the 40th minute and should have made it 2-0 but drove wide. The winger was a big threat for the visitors and his runs caused Arias many problems.

PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings

Martial 7

Looked bright and dangerous up front but didn’t always get the service he needed.

The Irishman is still unconvinced by Chris Smalling, despite the England centre-back's promising form this calendar year.

"As long as Blind and even Smalling, I'm not sure about him, or either Jones are playing centre-half, particularly in the Champions League against bigger teams [they will struggle].

"It was a poor result, poor performance and giving away bad goals. They had chances to get something out the game. Disappointing night for United."

Keane also, controversially, defended PSV's Hector Moreno over his challenge on Luke Shaw, which saw the United left-back suffer a double fracture in his right leg which will sideline him for at least six months.

Although disappointed by the injury and showing sympathy for Shaw, Keane claimed it was an unfortunate accident and could not fault Moreno's tackle.

"I thought it was a brilliant challenge," Keane said.

"I love the physical side of the game. You can always tell by player reactions and none of the United lads at the time, and players are best judges because they are nearest the tackle, didn't react over the top thinking it was a bad challenge."

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