Ruud van Nistelrooy slammed in Martin Keown rant after bizarre Manchester United manager claim

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has launched a bizarre criticism of Ruud van Nistelrooy as Manchester United pressure mounts.

United slipped to a third Premier League defeat of the season, leaving them in the bottom half of the table and six points off the Champions League places with just one outing left before the international break.

Erik ten Hag is facing pressure over his role as head coach, but the MEN understands that chiefs at Old Trafford are set to stick with the Dutchman as he faces a defining period. Van Nistelrooy, who arrived on Ten Hag's backroom staff in the summer, has emerged as a bookmakers candidate to replace the former Ajax boss.

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However, speaking on talkSPORT, former Arsenal foe, Keown, has taken aim at the role of the 38-year-old. He said: "I'm looking at Van Nistelrooy, is he giving everything to this manager?

"This manager looks very lonely on the sideline, is Van Nistelrooy looking to take over? Because it looks like change is taking place there. Are we committed to the manager? Doesn't look like the players or staff are particularly committed. They took away his management team around him, he is a lone man in the dugout."

He continued: "I want to see more from Erik ten Hag. Did anyone see Xabi Alonso on Saturday? He's down there stitching in information, everyone is adding to the group. I'm not seeing that from Van Nistelrooy... Well I don't think he's giving enough to the group so Ten Hag is just sitting there, not a lot is going on, no conversation. Pep speaks to the gurus next to him,