Manchester United legend Roy Keane will be back on our screens this evening as he casts his eye over England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra
Roy Keane pictured at Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup final in May
Roy Keane pictured at Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup final in May
(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
Manchester United legend Roy Keane will be back on our screens in the UK this evening as he reprises his role as a pundit.
The regular Premier League season only ended two weeks ago but there is still the small matter of internationals before players can head off on their breaks. On Saturday evening, England will take on Andorra in Barcelona in World Cup qualifying before rounding off their 2024/25 season with a friendly against Senegal at Nottingham Forest's City Ground.
Fans will be able to watch the action this evening on ITV Sport with Keane joining Karen Carney to provide expertise on the action. Ahead of tonight's crucial match for England as they look to move a step closer to the World Cup in the US, MEN Sport has taken a look at a few things you may not know about the former United captain.
His famous future son-in-law
Keane's private life is understandably under wraps. But, it is public knowledge that his daughter Leah is engaged to former Manchester City and current Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
In November, Keane had a front row seat as Harwood-Bellis not only made his England debut but scored in the 5-0 thrashing of the ex-United man's beloved Republic of Ireland. "It's bittersweet for me, this," the former midfielder told ITV Sport.
"It's not done and dusted yet," Keane joked about the wedding. "Things can change very quickly in the Keane household, let me tell you.
"He's got a goal threat in him, even playing for Southampton. It's nice for him. He's a nice kid, his family's done a good job."
Taylor Harwood-Bellis pictured in action for Southampton this season
Taylor Harwood-Bellis pictured in action for Southampton this season
Retirement plans
The ex-United midfielder admitted in November that he is not planning to stick in the punditry business for too much longer. Despite a clear love for the game, Keane has admitted that he envisages his retirement in the next couple of years.
"In the next couple of years, I reckon I will be moving abroad... putting it out there," he explained this was after admitting on the Stick to Football podcast brought to you by Sky Bet in August: "I love football, but the hassle of matches, getting to games, and the hassle of fans – I was in court a few months ago with somebody head-butting me – do you think I enjoy that side of it? Absolutely not.
"The games are fine. Getting to the games, parking up, people shouting your name – good stuff, bad stuff – it’s a nuisance.
"Being a pundit in 10 years, not."
True allegiances
While Keane will always be synonymous with United and their history, he has admitted on several occasions that he does not support the club. In fact, he is a fan of one of their Premier League rivals.
"Just because I played for Manchester United didn't mean I was a fan of the team," he told a charity event in 2015, as quoted by the Daily Mail. "When I played for Rockmount, one of my teammate's fathers used to bring me to training and he supported Tottenham.
"That's where it started, I liked their players, the likes of Glenn Hoddle and Clive Allen. But after I'd come back from trial at Nottingham Forest, Spurs offered me a trial.
"I turned it down because Forest had been good to me, I liked the club and felt some loyalty to them. I had a soft spot for Spurs, and still do."
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