Roy Keane launched a sharp critique of Diogo Dalot after Manchester United’s defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday. Keane placed responsibility on the Portuguese right back for key moments that led to both of Villa’s goals and said Dalot had not done enough for the team.

An England international collected a loose ball inside the penalty area and bent into the corner to put Villa ahead once more, with United unable to fashion another equaliser as they slipped to their sixth defeat of the season in all competitions. United performed well in periods during the match in the Midlands, but Keane was critical of their work out of possession.

Keane argued Dalot could have done more to protect Leny Yoro when Rogers opened the scoring and said the right back allowed Youri Tielemans to cross in the build-up to the attacker’s second of the afternoon. He described the defensive showing as symptomatic of a wider motivation problem within the side.

Keane did not soften his language on Sky Sports when addressing what he saw as an individual failing inside a team issue. “You can have all the talent in the world,” Keane began his rant on Sky Sports. “We’ve mentioned it time and time again but you’ve got to roll your sleeves up and when the game gets a bit tight there’s moments where you go, ‘I’m just going to do my bit for the team.’ There’s too many players, like Dalot, that just don’t do enough.

“I won’t use the word ‘cheating’ but they’re just not doing enough. And after the game I’d be looking at him—I wouldn’t be looking at other bits of the game.” Keane’s comments leave a clear suggestion that attention should fall on individual accountability for United’s defensive lapses in the match.

Aston Villa extended their run to 10 consecutive wins in all competitions with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Villa Park. Morgan Rogers scored both Villa goals, either side of Matheus Cunha’s composed equaliser just before the break. The result was compounded for United by an injury to Bruno Fernandes at half-time and the senior debut of Jack Fletcher, son of iconic midfielder Darren.

United player ratings

GK: Senne Lammens — 6.2: Helpless for Rogers’s strikes but produced a few solid saves elsewhere.
CB: Leny Yoro — 6.5: Let Morgan Rogers cut inside too easily for Villa’s opener and struggled with him throughout. Hooked in the second half after a difficult outing.
CB: Ayden Heaven — 7.0: Made a couple of excellent early blocks and looked composed throughout, doing a solid job of marshalling Ollie Watkins.
CB: Luke Shaw — 6.5: Distributed the ball well, but struggled defensively against John McGinn, who often came out on top in their duels.
RWB: Diogo Dalot — 7.2: Impressive on the right, showing why his versatility is vital for United. Got forward effectively and defended well.
CM: Bruno Fernandes — 6.9: A solid if unspectacular first half, but had to go off injured at the break.
CM: Manuel Ugarte — 6.7: Sloppy in possession, regularly muscled off the ball and second-best in duels.
LWB: Patrick Dorgu — 8.2: One of United’s best players, lively on the left and solid defensively. Got one assist.
AM: Matheus Cunha — 8.2: Coolly finished United’s equaliser and was central to most of United’s threat.
AM: Mason Mount — 6.7: United’s standout in the second period, constantly trying to create chances.
ST: Benjamin Šeško — 6.3: First start since late November; spurned a good chance and remains short of match sharpness.

Substitutes: Lisandro Martínez (46′ for Fernandes) 6.6; Jack Fletcher (72′ for Ugarte) 5.9; Joshua Zirkzee (72′ for Šeško) 6.1; Shea Lacey (83′ for Yoro) N/A.

Match context: United dominated possession at times and created chances, but conceded to two moments of quality from Rogers. “It’s Morgan Rogers vs. Manchester United, and Morgan Rogers is winning.” United sit seventh at Christmas, while Villa are third, three points behind Arsenal and one behind Manchester City.

Kobbie Mainoo was omitted from Manchester United’s matchday squad to face Aston Villa after picking up an injury, the club confirmed.

Mainoo’s absence carries both immediate and symbolic weight. He is the sole remaining academy graduate in Amorim’s senior squad following the summer departures of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho. United have maintained a run of more than 88 years with at least one academy graduate in matchday squads, and that sequence has been a persistent consideration for the manager.

Amorim has openly admitted his fear of being the manager who breaks the famous record. The current season already included a scare when Mainoo sustained an injury in November. On that occasion Amorim turned to academy midfielder Jack Fletcher to preserve the run, and Fletcher returns to the squad once again for the meeting with Aston Villa.

There are other young figures included among the substitutes. Centre back Tyler Fredricson is named on the bench for a second successive game as he aims to build on three senior appearances for the club. Midfielder Shea Lacey, who has been an unused substitute on previous occasions, will hope to make his debut at the fifth time of asking this season.

Bendito Mantato, a versatile option comfortable as a wing back on either side, is also in the squad to provide cover while Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo are away at the Africa Cup of Nations alongside forward Bryan Mbeumo.

Starting XI: Lammens; Yoro, Heaven, Shaw; Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu; Cunha, Mount, Šeško.

Bench: Bayındır, Heaton, Fredricson, Malacia, Mantato, Martínez, Fletcher, Lacey, Zirkzee.