Manchester United cancel players' trip to Cheltenham after Champions League exit

Manchester United have cancelled a proposed players' trip to the Cheltenham Festival following the side’s Champions League exit earlier this week.

Jose Mourinho’s men were unexpectedly dumped out of the competition by Sevilla following a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

United’s players had originally planned a visit to the races to celebrate reaching the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite competition, with Jose Mourinho happy to sanction the trip.

But now, in the wake of Tuesday’s exit, all such plans have been cancelled as United face fresh scrutiny following their disappointing Champions League campaign.

Former player Roy Keane was one pundit among many to lambast the side for their poor performance.

Keane felt the players were not enjoying playing for a club where expectation levels remain high season after season.

"When I played for Manchester United, I always felt when you put on the jersey you felt great and you enjoyed the history and the pressure and the badge and the expectation from supporters," Keane told ITV.

"I get the impression that this United team they don't seem to be enjoying the pressure or the expectation.

"The manager will take responsibility. When you see him interviewed after the game, I don't think he was shocked because he's working with the players every day.

"He knows they are short to be one of the best teams in Europe. He knows that.”