Roy Keane believes that Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag could be sending a message to the club's hierarchy with his team selection versus Newcastle.
Striker Rasmus Hojlund was among the substitutes at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening with no recognised centre-forward taking to the field for United at kick-off. The Denmark international arrived in the north west last summer in a £72million deal as the club failed to land an established marksman when Harry Kane moved to Bayern Munich.
Injuries have left Ten Hag short in recent week but even with the absences of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, it could be considered that United are lacking depth in players to lead the line. While former Man United captain Keane conceded Ten Hag could be managing his team in preparation for the FA Cup final, he suggested the Dutch coach could be sending a message to his bosses.
“Maybe the manager is sending a message to the board that he has not got many options," Keane said on Sky Sports. "Sometimes I think managers do that with a couple of games to go to show they need reinforcements. Obviously, he is hoping he will be ready for the cup final.”
Ten Hag was asked to clarify his decision to place Hojlund on the bench and said: "We want to keep him fresh. It's a long season for young players - all the young players - and sometimes you see his energy levels are dropping.
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"We want to keep him fresh, for this game coming on, we have Brighton and the cup final, so we need fresh players."
It is uncertain how much bargaining power Ten Hag may hold with his future uncertain for next season. The United boss is set to discover his fate following the FA Cup final clash against Manchester City after a difficult season.
Erik ten Hag is under huge pressure at Man United (Getty Images)The 54-year-old is not planning to say goodbye during his side's lap of honour at Old Trafford following the match against Newcastle on Wednesday evening.
“A goodbye? For me? It's not how I feel it and not how I see it," he said. “It's not the way I will go to start that lap of honour for the fans, no.”
Figures such as Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna and England manager Gareth Southgate have already been linked to his position, despite Ten Hag having a year remaining on his contract. It is said to be 50/50 whether decision-makers choose for the former Ajax coach to depart the club this summer.
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