Morning Mix: Keane was spot on about Rice, Ten Hag must deal with petulant Fernandes

Another Monday is upon us which means it’s time for ‘Morning Mix’ – our weekly football column with a bit of music thrown in for good measure.

We look at two talking points from the past seven days and point you in the direction of some of the best football stories elsewhere on the internet.

We also offer a top tune recommendation to get you in the mood for the week ahead and what to watch out for over the coming days. Let’s get stuck in!

Keane was spot on about Rice

Former Manchester United star Roy Keane raised plenty of eyebrows with his savage assessment of West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice last week.

Keane criticised Rice’s underwhelming performances this season and questioned whether he is worth the lofty price tag the Hammers have placed on him.

He was subsequently poor against the Red Devils in the FA Cup and was dreadful in his team’s league game at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

Rice’s post-match comments after the defeat at the Amex Stadium suggest he was rattled by what Keane said. It’s a pity he didn’t channel that angst into his performance.

Ten Hag must deal with petulant Fernandes

Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United. Given the progress they’ve made this season, this result was a major reality check for the Red Devils.

Erik ten Hag’s team were woeful, and several players need to take a look at themselves in the aftermath of this performance.

They include Bruno Fernandes, whose antics in the second half demonstrated why he is a questionable choice as captain.

In addition to constantly whining, Fernandes downed tools as United were humiliated. The sooner Ten Hag recognises he isn’t captaincy material, the better.

The week that was

Are you looking for the best football stories from the past seven days? Check these out:

• Ken Sema, his stammer and its symbolism: Why TV interview could leave a lasting legacy.
• Why Premier League clubs are no longer hiring as many top ex-players as managers.
• Football is firmly in gambling’s grip as it hypocritically clamps down on Ivan Toney.

Today’s top tune

Scottish indie band Vistas undoubtedly know how to write catchy tunes. The title track from their latest EP ‘The Beautiful Nothing’ perfectly highlights the point. It’s well worth checking out.

What to watch this week

Graham Potter has not got off to the best start at Chelsea. Will the fans calling for his head reign it in a little if the Blues knock Borussia Dortmund out of the Champions League on Tuesday?

A final Morning Mix thought

Kieran Tierney has been linked with a summer move to Newcastle United after losing his spot in Arsenal’s first team to Oleksandr Zinchenko.

While he is a better footballer than current Magpies left-back Dan Burn, his injury record and habit of falling over too easily make him a questionable transfer target.