Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire rejects former captain Roy Keane’s assertion that the team lacks leadership and heart.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men will look to continue their perfect start to the Champions League group stage at Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday amid a poor start to the Premier League.
United may have a game in hand but 15th spot remains well short of expectations, with Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal seeing them start a season with four winless home league matches for the first time since 1972-73.
Club great Keane was watching from the stands as part of his role as a pundit and was cutting in his assessment of his former club, saying he does not “see guys you want to be in the trenches with, guys you trust”.
The 35-year-old said at his side’s pre-match press conference: “We will play a tough match with Manchester United. We are playing the most important team of England and of the group.”
Basaksehir have lost their opening two matches without finding the net.
Skrtel added: “We can be successful if we play our own game. We were not effective on goal in two matches, but this time we have to score. We will fight for the best result.”
Former Chelsea forward Demba Ba requires a late fitness test.