Manchester United Legend Roy Keane Doubts Thomas Partey's Leadership in Ghana Team

• Manchester United legend Roy Keane has criticized Ghana deputy captain Thomas Partey after the game against Portugal
• The Arsenal star failed to inspire his Ghana teammates as Portugal secured a 3-2 win in the Grpup H opener
• The Black Stars will next face South Korea in their second group game on Monday before a final match against Uruguay

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane is unsure if Thomas Partey can inspire the Ghana national team at the World Cup in Qatar.

Partey was largely missing during Ghana's Group H opener against Portugal as the Black Stars suffered defeat to the 2016 European champions.

The Black Stars deputy captain is however having an excellent campaign with Arsenal in the English Premier League.

And after the game against Portugal, Keane felt Partey lacks the leadership skills to make an impact in the Ghana team.

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"Well he’s (Partey) having a very good season," Keane told ITV Sport as quoted by the Daily Mail.

"He’s settled down, he had a lot of injury problems when he first went to Arsenal. He’s got a big role here because there are some inexperienced players around him. I’m still not convinced he’s got those leadership skills," he added.

"But a very good player and he’ll have a big part to play today because there’s a big responsibility, particularly in the middle of the park, of course a huge position on the pitch.

"He’s had a good season, he should be confident, but it’s a big challenge for him in the middle of the park to help the players around him."

Ghana will need inspiration from the Arsenal man when they face South Korea on Monday.

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The four-time African champions need a win against the Asian giants to stand a chance of progressing to the next stage.

Ghana suffer defeat to Portugal in group opener

Earlier Sports Brief reported that five second-half goals ensured Portugal beat Ghana in their opening Group H game at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored in his fifth World Cup, and Joao Felix and Rafael Leao also netted for the Europeans, while Ghana reduced the deficit through Andre Ayew and Osman Bukari.

Portugal began the game dominating possession, winning a corner kick after just three minutes, but the set piece was well-defended by the Black Stars.