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Roy Keane blasts Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho over fixture complaints

Roy Keane
Image: Roy Keane said Mourinho's gripes about fixture congestion are 'rubbish'

Roy Keane launched a scathing attack on Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho after Thursday's Europa League win over Rostov, questioning whether the Portuguese is up to the job.

Republic of Ireland assistant boss Keane labelled Mourinho's gripes about fixture congestion as "utter nonsense" and says United have had an easy ride in the cup competitions.

Mourinho has bemoaned United's amount of games for some time and repeated after the victory over Rostov that this week's schedule, which sees United play again on Sunday after games on Monday and Thursday, shows they "have enemies".

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho
Image: Jose Mourinho believes United have 'enemies' when it comes to the fixture schedule

But Keane told ITV Sport: "I've never heard so much rubbish in my life. Why do we have to listen to that garbage?

"It's just utter nonsense what he's talking about. He's manager of Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs on the planet. The squad he's got... and he keeps moaning about fixtures and fatigue.

United fixtures explained
United fixtures explained

Manchester United face eight games in April as they chase Europa League glory and a top-four finish

"We were just looking at some of the cup draws they've had. They've had an easy ride in the cups; some good draws and a lot of home draws. The guy's talking absolute nonsense. I've never heard so much rubbish in my life.

"Maybe the club's too big for him. He can't deal with all these demands at the match. What matches? Man United reserves could have won that game tonight. I'm sick to death of him."

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United defender Marcos Rojo was seen eating a banana towards the end of the game, passed to him by Ashley Young from the substitutes bench, as Rojo appeared to be suffering from fatigue.

But Keane said: "I think that was all staged, without a shadow of a doubt.

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Jose Mourinho says FC Rostov posed a challenge to his Man Utd side in their Europa League last-16 victory

"He's talking about the player collapsing. That was easier than a training session. Eleven against eleven on the training pitch; that was easier than that.

"And he's talking about players collapsing. What rubbish. I've seen players maybe get Jaffa Cakes passed onto the pitch, so I wasn't surprised a player was looking for some sort of food.

"But I think they made a bigger drama than what it was. He's got other staff. One of the fitness coaches could have come on with that, the medical staff. He's passing it on to Ashley Young, and he's passing it on."

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