Roy Keane spent 12 years at Manchester United and won 13 major honours during his time at Old Trafford, but his exit in 2005 cast a shadow over his relationship with the club
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Soccer pundit Roy Keane.
Roy Keane spent 12 years as a Manchester United player and has continued to discuss the club's fortunes
(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
Roy Keane remains a figure closely associated with Manchester United, nearly two decades on from his dramatic departure from Old Trafford.
The formidable midfielder, who clinched 13 major trophies in his 12-year stint with the club, is often seen offering his candid thoughts on United's performances as a pundit. Despite his indelible mark on United's history, Keane's tenure came to an abrupt end by mutual consent in November 2005 following outspoken remarks he made about his team-mates on MUTV regarding a crushing defeat to Middlesbrough.
Years later, his analysis of United remains as sharp as ever, especially as the team languishes in 16th place in the Premier League. "If they don't win [the Europa League final] next week, I think the days of everyone wanting to go to Manchester United are gone," he told Sky Sports after Friday's defeat to Chelsea.
"I don't think there'll be players looking to sign for Manchester United. That's gone, that bit of excitement with the club. The fans, even here tonight, I don't think the United fans are angry anymore. It's just an acceptance. Even the manager's interview there, he's accepting where they are." Here's a look at how Keane's connection with United has evolved over time.
Emotional exit
Keane has frequently discussed the impact of his sudden exit from United. Although he would conclude his playing career at Celtic, the manner of his leaving Old Trafford had a lasting effect on his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson.
The former United enforcer has opened up about the emotional toll his departure from the club took on him. "When I left United, I did cry that morning. Cried in my car," he said on the Stick to Football podcast in February.
The no-nonsense Irishman had previously reflected on the intense feelings he experienced when leaving Old Trafford during a conversation with Tommy Tiernan. "I think the only time I really cried was when I left United after I had a bit of a disagreement with a few people, but other than that you're very much in that bubble," Keane shared.
"You're in the zone. I always say I was in the zone. I used to say to people, and they didn't quite understand it, I was going to war every week."
Roy Keane and Sir Alex Ferguson
Roy Keane fell out with Sir Alex Ferguson due to the way his Manchester United exit was handled
Building bridges
Keane had very little to do with the club following the challenging end to his playing career, so he stunned fans when he featured in the reveal video for United's third kit in 2023. Almost 18 years on from his controversial exit, it appeared some bridges had been built.
An official joint statement from United and Adidas said: "Manchester United and Adidas are proud to work with Roy Keane, one of the club's most iconic and popular former players. Roy won 17 trophies with Manchester United, his fearless playing style and never give up attitude has earned him a special place in the hearts of Manchester United fans around the world."
New United role suggested
Keane has been outspoken on United's struggles post-Ferguson, with the 53-year-old offering piercing critiques of the team. Former team-mate Mikael Silvestre sees potential for Keane's insights to be beneficial for the current squad.
"I think it would be great for Roy Keane to play a role at Manchester United," Silvestre told Yaysweepstakes.com. "Because, the thing is with Roy, he always treated everybody exactly the same way. It didn't matter if you were a new signing, an old guy, the manager, everybody.
"That's how he got respect. That's how Sir Alex got respect. If you treat everybody the same, no problem. I think it's a bit of a problem with this generation of players. They find criticism harder to take.
"If Roy Keane was involved at Manchester United, if he was on the inside with the group, he would have to protect and work for the group. You wouldn't see him criticising players in public, so there wouldn't be any issue."
Roy Keane and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Keane was invited back to the club by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Return to club
Ex-United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer echoed Silvestre's sentiment, valuing the knowledge Keane could share with his squad. In an endorsement of Keane's potential influence, Solskjaer welcomed him to Carrington to privately address the squad in 2019.
A source shared details of the meeting with the Mirror, where Keane's uncompromising nature was on full display: "As you'd imagine, Roy has strong views on what it takes to be a proper United player, and he gave it to them straight.
"He wasn't impressed with one player who didn't seem to be all that interested and looked as if he'd rather be somewhere else. But for the majority, it was a fascinating snapshot into the hunger and desire that drove Roy during his time at the club."
Roy Keane and Erik ten Hag
He felt United undermined Erik ten Hag
Sir Jim Ratcliffe messages
Despite his relationship with United seeming to improve in recent times, Keane hasn't held back on his opinions regarding the club's leadership. Prior to Erik ten Hag being succeeded by Amorim this term, Keane voiced concerns on the Stick to Football podcast about Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the football operations team undermining the Dutchman by altering his coaching staff.
"I'm not saying he's not a good manager or he hasn't got good coaching staff, but in the summer they changed all the coaching staff," Keane said. "So you're on about a manager having a bit of power and control of the football club – I'll bet you Ten Hag's got none of that!
"So players will look at the manager and go, 'Well, all your staff went in the summer. I didn't see you fighting for any of them. You're bringing more staff in.' I just think it looks chaotic, doesn't it?"
Keane has frequently dismissed rumours linking him to the United manager's job, with his last head coach role coming at Ipswich Town in 2011. The former United captain made it clear that he doesn't see a return to Old Trafford happening, even in a temporary capacity, especially after having previously criticised the limited power afforded to managers at Old Trafford.
"They're not gonna be asking me. They just wouldn't... they just wouldn't," Keane asserted during a conversation with Arsenal legend Ian Wright. On the topic of potentially taking the reins at United on an interim basis, Keane firmly stated: "I'm not leaving you, Wrighty."