Roy Keane called Manchester United’s players “bluffers” after Newcastle beat them 4-1 at St James’ Park on 13 April 2025.
The defeat was United’s 14th of the Premier League season, matching their worst total in the competition and leaving Ruben Amorim’s side 14th.
Newcastle overpower United after half-time
Sandro Tonali volleyed Newcastle ahead from Alexander Isak’s pass in the 24th minute. Alejandro Garnacho equalised before the break, but United fell apart in the second half.
Harvey Barnes restored Newcastle’s lead four minutes after the restart and scored again when Noussair Mazraoui slipped. Bruno Guimaraes added the fourth after Altay Bayindir’s pass went astray.
It was Newcastle’s first league double over Manchester United in 94 years.
Keane questions United’s honesty
Keane said United looked physically and mentally weak and took issue with Bruno Fernandes saying the team needed to be braver.
“These aren’t teammates, they are bluffers,” Keane said on Sky Sports. He also criticised Diogo Dalot’s failure to challenge and questioned whether the dressing room was honest enough.
Fernandes accepted that United had lacked consistency, but said his frustration came from knowing the team could perform better.
Neville sees a squad short of quality
Gary Neville argued that effort was not the central problem. He described the squad’s quality as desperate and said Fernandes, and perhaps Amad Diallo, were the only players he could confidently build around.
Amorim accepted that United had made too many mistakes. The result deepened the pressure before the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Lyon.
