Is he giving everything?’ – Martin Keown suggests Ruud van Nistelrooy is ‘waiting’ to replace ‘lonely’ Erik ten Hag at Man Utd as Arsenal legend reignites feud with ex-Red Devils striker 21 years after ‘Battle of Old Trafford’

Former Arsenal defender Keown has now taken a swipe at Van Nisterooy as he questioned the motives behind the Red Devils icon’s return to Old Trafford. Following a well-known altercation with Van Nistelrooy in 2003, Keown was fined £20,000 and banned for three games. After the striker missed a late penalty in the goalless draw dubbed the ‘Battle of Old Trafford’, Keown leapt on him, prompting a huge melee between both sets of players.

• Getty Images Sport

  WHAT KEOWN SAID

  Speaking on the White and Jordan show on talkSPORT, Keown 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 waiting to take over? Because it looks as if there’s going to be change taking place there.

  “Is everyone adding to the group? I’m not seeing that from Van Nistelrooy. Ten Hag is just sitting there, nothing going on, no conversation. Pep goes back and speaks to the gurus next to him.

  “Is everybody looking in the mirror at themselves giving their best?”

• WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

  The Red Devils are reportedly willing to be patient with Ten Hag and have afforded the Dutchman the next two matches against Lille and Aston Villa to get the team back on track. The INEOS ownership regime will then make a firm decision on Ten Hag’s future during the October international break.