Martin Keown slammed Fred after Manchester United’s defeat at Newcastle (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

Arsenal legend Martin Keown was scathing with his assessment of Manchester United after their 1-0 defeat to Newcastle and took aim at Fred, claiming the midfielder is ‘becoming a joke’ when in possession of the ball.

Calls for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking are growing ever louder after yet another abject performance away from home, with United now sitting 12th in the Premier League table and two points above the relegation zone.

The Red Devils were badly lacking in all areas on Sunday and Marcus Rashford cut an isolated figure up front at St James’ Park. When Newcastle debutant Matthew Longstaff fired past David de Gea in the 72nd minute, the away side simply had no answer.



Speaking on Match of the Day 2, ex-Arsenal defender Keown slammed Fred’s laughable display in central midfield and admitted he ‘felt sorry’ for Rashford.


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Perhaps most damning of all, Keown believes Daniel James will be questioning his £15million summer move from Swansea to Old Trafford.

Keown said : ‘Daniel James must be thinking “who have I signed for here?”

‘He’s their youngest player, but he’s their best player.

‘They’re so inept in possession. Fred, it’s almost becoming a joke when he gets the ball. I know it’s good closing down but you’ve got to be able to control it and pass.

‘If that’s the central midfield then there’s not going to be anything created.’

Rashford cut a frustrated figure up front at St James’ Park (Picture: Getty)

Keown added: ‘They started playing balls long into Rashford and I feel sorry for him because he’s surviving on scraps. But he should do better.

‘Look at his body language… I think he’s starting to despair with what’s around him.’

Keown believes the defeat could signal ‘the beginning of the end’ for Solskjaer, with United failing to win on the road in their last 11 matches in all competitions.

‘You start to look at where the system is… where’s the intensity?’ the former England centre-back added.

‘I think the belief is ebbing away and this could be the beginning of the end for this manager.

‘I don’t want to see a former player come in and leave the job but there has to be a spark, there has to be a reaction and it seems to just be spiraling out of control.

‘This is a really poor result.’

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