Thursday 26 November 2015 19:07, UK
Paul Merson says Roy Keane's criticism of Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is a 'cheap shot'.
The Sky Sports pundit hit out at the Old Trafford legend after he claimed the England striker looked 'awful' and needed to 'step up to the plate' following their 0-0 draw against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
The result leaves United looking for a win against Wolfsburg in their final group game to guarantee qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Despite dominating possession and territory, United managed just one shot on target in the second half and Keane believes Rooney must shoulder the blame for their lack of a cutting edge.
"It seemed a strange atmosphere at Old Trafford tonight, they lacked cutting edge," Keane said, speaking on ITV after the match. "You got the impression the players were waiting for something to happen, rather than going and making it happen.
"Wayne was on about lack of composure and quality, but I think he was as guilty as anybody. He needs to step up to the plate. You look at Wayne's legacy at Old Trafford, it's absolutely fantastic. His goals record is brilliant. But now he's the captain there's more responsibility and I think he's got to do a lot more."
Keane also questioned Rooney's 'stunt' at a recent WWE Raw event, which he attended with his son, adding: "Why is he getting involved in all that nonsense? There's no benefit to him. I'd have a look at that side of it.
"It's certainly not helping him. I wouldn't begrudge him going out and enjoying himself, but if you're not at it yourself you've got to have a look and lead by example. He didn't do that tonight. He doesn't look sharp, he looks awful.
"Mentally he doesn't look really sharp; physically he doesn't look in great shape. He needs to have a look at himself."
But Merson questioned the merits of Keane's comments, insisting England's record goalscorer continues to give his all for club and country.
Speaking to Sky Sports Now he said: "I thought it was a cheap shot, to be honest.
"Wayne was outstanding for England the other week but he had runners either side of him, playing off him, people making third-man runs. He had movement and he was very comfortable.
"But then he goes into a Man Utd team and it is the hardest thing in the world to keep clean sheets and score goals at the same time, I don't care where you are, that's the hardest thing to do. He doesn't have that there where they are working off scraps.
"And the WWE thing? He has a little boy who is likely a massive fan so why can't he do that? He still has to have a family life. he has to think of the kids, so for me that was just a cheap shot."
