Manchester United legend Roy Keane delivered a damning assessment of the Barclays Premier League, claiming English teams have fallen drastically behind Europe’s elite.

United became the third team from England’s top flight to lose the opening leg of their last 16 Champions League tie after their 2-0 defeat at Olympiacos on Tuesday night.

It comes after Manchester City and Arsenal were both beaten 2-0 by Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively last week.

‘I think we’re brainwashed by the Premier League,’ said Keane.

‘It’s not the best league in the world. Nonsense. It’s the best brand.

‘Our teams have fallen behind the best European teams, United in particular.’

United were soundly beaten in Greece after goals from Alejandro Dominguez and Arsenal loanee Joel Campbell.

And Keane, who won seven Premier League titles at United, believes under-fire manager David Moyes will be ‘shocked’ at his side’s lacklustre display.

‘I don’t think any of us predicted that’, added Keane, who was speaking as a pundit on ITV.

‘We weren’t sure about Olympiacos, but give them credit, they were technically better than United.

‘There are a number of players who haven’t showed enough quality and there is a lack of confidence

‘United need six top quality players with Vidic, Rio, Evra, Giggsy [all going], he needs to rebuild the club.

‘Moyes will be shocked, he would expected good things with this squad, he’ll be shocked by lack of quality he’s working with.’

United midfielder Michael Carrick echoed his predecessor’s thoughts, saying: ‘It’s hugely disappointing but we feel like we’re still in with a chance going back to Old Trafford.

‘Obviously it’s not going to be easy. We’ve lost a game we came here hoping to win and haven’t done that. We’re not out of tie by all means, but it’s not ideal.’

‘We had good possession in the first half. We had control of the game without penetrating their line, but at same time they weren’t causing us any problems.

‘The goals came from nothing, but it obviously puts them in a great position. We didn’t start the second half very well. A bit sloppy really.’

Even Carrick’s words on ITV irked Keane, who said: ‘That interview was just like their performance — flat,’

When asked what he wanted Carrick to say by Adrian Chiles, an exasperated Keane said: ‘I want him to say something. Say a bit more – a bit more urgency in his interview — it just reflected United’s performance tonight — flat, no urgency.

‘They keep saying “oh well, next game, next game”, but for some of them there won’t be another game. That’s the reality of it.’

It was a response that drew a reaction from Carrick – Lisa Carrick, Michael’s wife.

She posted on Twitter: ‘Roy Keane what a **** says anything to provoke a reaction… That’s all. Done…’ before deleting the message.

—Daily Mail