Roy Keane was left baffled by Gareth Southgate's decision not to call on Phil Foden in England's drab draw with the USA.
The Three Lions lacked any real spark in the final third as they were bought back down to earth after their impressive win over Iran on Monday. Southgate opted to start with the same starting XI, meaning Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling supported Harry Kane.
England were struggling to break the US down and called upon Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford - leaving Foden glued to the bench. It means the Manchester City star is yet to appear at the World Cup and Keane felt it was the wrong call by the England boss.
He said on ITV : "We were surprised watching it, Gareth will have his reasons he sees them more than anybody but we’re stood watching the game expecting Foden to come on. The subs that did come on, didn’t have an impact, they done well the other day but they looked leggy, short of ideas, from set-pieces, they didn’t look like a goal in their locker. A terrible performance."
Gary Neville echoed those comments: "I was disappointed not to see Foden, for me that talent is huge. We’ve got Bellingham, Grealish but Southgate prefers Mount, Saka, Sterling, for me Foden not to be amongst that and not to come off the bench was interesting."
Southgate later explained that he felt Grealish and Rashford would give them a fresh dynamic in attack. "I thought it was the right thing to keep the team from the start then the wide players we went with Jack and Marcus ahead of Phil for the changes," said the England boss.
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"Jack, can keep the ball well for us and get us up the pitch, Marcus’ speed we thought would be a threat going into the last part of the game." England's draw with the US leaves them on four points from the two games - and in pole position to qualify for the knockout stages ahead of their clash with Wales next week. Despite that, Keane continued to be scathing whilst giving his verdict on the Three Lions.
He added: "I think from England’s mindset, the result is fine but the performance was poor and you’re looking at England with the quality they have, have that make up to go after a game but they’re in control. Good result but really poor performance."
Neville also claimed: "Tournaments are barely a bed of roses, Gareth has unbelievable tournament experience and will realise we will get through this group. But it was poor, we’re all disappointed, we expected a lot more."
