'I am scratching my head' - Roy Keane swears during angry Manchester United rant

Manchester United hero Roy Keane has urged Ruben Amorim's players to turn around the mood at Old Trafford, starting on the pitch when they play Manchester City in the Premier League.

United head into their latest Manchester derby languishing in 13th after a poor start to the season under Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman has since been sacked and Amorim has arrived but form remains mixed on the pitch with the Reds losing at home to Nottingham Forest last weekend.

Ahead of this afternoon's showdown on Sky Sports, taking place at the Etihad Stadium, Keane was asked about how the ownership situation may have affected the mood at United. However, the Irishman was keen not to use that as an excuse as he took aim in a typically forthright rant.

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"Well it has obviously not been good and it has not been good over the last few years with off the field stuff and we are trying to figure things out ourselves," he explained. "The last few months there was a feel good factor and they [Ineos] need a little bit more time.

"The morale at the club is not great when the first team aren't winning week in, week out and if they are cutting people's bonuses or whatever that might be, that effects everybody... The situation at United certainly isn't great.

"But I also think that the players have a responsibility to try and lift the club and it is amazing how a few football results can give everyone a lift. What we have seen in the last few months is that the level of performances have been so poor.

"I am scratching my head looking at the league as it is hard to believe how bad they are. You have to find a spark, you have to find it in the dressing room.

"We can make excuses for this team all day long about what has gone on off the field and recruitment, but you have to find something, and create something in the dressing room. I go back to it every b***** week on these programmes, the reason you play football - whether it be in front of 50,000, 60,000 or one man and his dog - the reality is you run.

"City and United over the last few months have been easy to play against and that's the biggest insult you can have as a footballer. United have to turn up today, whatever is against them, and show some fight, show some spirit, desire to defend a corner, desire not to give daft free-kicks away, players to close people down.

"As mad as it is, we see a number of characters at Manchester United and they don't turn up but we still believe; 'Maybe next week'.. Time is running out for a lot of these players.

"We have got to see it in the derby. I think today is a great day for United, it is an opportunity for all of us sitting here - the doubters - to see United turn up and give the fans something to celebrate, just today, the big picture? [There are] Huge problems. But focus on today, beat your city rivals."