Roy Keane has delivered a scathing appraisal of the attitude of Manchester United’s player towards sacked manager José Mourinho, claiming they have “downed tools” and “thrown him under the bus”.

Keane, who was speaking to Adrian Chiles on BBC Radio 5 Live, said the behaviour of players made it understandable why Mourinho had a fractious relationship with some members of his squad. “You would fall out with these players,” he said. “The players got away with murder. They hide behind the manager. They have thrown him under the bus.

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“Players who turn up overweight, do not train properly and are not producing – for some to down tools, shame on some of those players. I am not José’s biggest fan, but I can’t tolerate footballers who hide behind agents, their pals in the media – it is a bit of a joke.”

The former United captain, who had numerous fallouts with players as a coach and manager, also accused members of the squad of not trying hard enough and of going missing when put under pressure. “Whatever has gone on at the club, when you go on the pitch – particularly at a big club like United – you go out and give your all, no excuses,” he said.

“This idea that these players are upset … it is not just United, but the modern player. They are not just weak players, but are very weak human beings. You cannot say a word to them. Players are quick to hide behind social media, their cars and their girlfriends, the whole lot.”

BBC Radio 5 Live (@bbc5live) Roy Keane, former #ManUtd captain, gives a scathing verdict on the players' behaviour over the Mourinho sacking, in an interview with Adrian Chiles.



"Shame on some of those players... The players get away with murder.”



“I can’t tolerate players that hide behind their agents.” pic.twitter.com/Z459MUrCYU

Keane said that footballers have changed since his playing days and that the Manchester United squad he captained under Sir Alex Ferguson would have risen to the challenge the current players face. “I was very lucky with the dressing room I was in,” he said. “There were good men, good leaders and characters, but that is in shortage in the game now. It would not have happened in our dressing room. We would not have tolerated lads not putting a shift in.”

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Keane had a glittering career at Manchester United, winning seven Premier League titles, a Champions League and four FA Cups in 13 seasons.