Roy Keane was not impressed with Manchester United's decision to hire Jonny Evans as part of Michael Carrick's coaching staff, but Manchester United have now responded.
Jonny Evans prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Former defender Jonny Evans is part of Michael Carrick's backroom staff. (Image: Ash Donelon, Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Manchester United seem to have hit back at former captain Roy Keane after his scathing remarks about Jonny Evans' appointment to the coaching staff. Evans has re-joined United as part of Michael Carrick's backroom team.
The former defender's arrival came just months after departing his position as loans manager. He's linked up with Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate and Travis Binnion on the coaching staff for the remainder of the season, a decision that has raised eyebrows from Keane.
Within days of the ex-midfielder's criticism aired on Sky Sports, United have shared a video on social media featuring Harry Maguire – another target of Keane's sharp tongue – heaping praise on Evans. The two centre-backs were teammates at Leicester City before their paths crossed again at Old Trafford.
In footage posted on X by United, Maguire said: "He's a great guy, he's really calm, a real good player. When I speak about underrated players, I'd say Jonny for me was probably the most underrated player I have ever played with.
"If I was a young boy and I was teaching someone to watch defending and watch body positioning and watch movement, I'd say watch Jonny Evans, he was that good at his body positioning and the way that he's so active in every part of the game.
United are hopeful that Evans can impart his wisdom to the defenders on the training ground for the remainder of the season. However, his appointment led to some questions from Keane.
Speaking on Sky Sports prior to the 2-0 victory in the Manchester Derby, he said: "Jonny Evans rocks up, they've signed him twice.
"It's not an issue with Jonny Evans, it's an issue with the club and the decision-making, who they're bringing in.
"Jonny Evans left Man United four or five weeks ago. He left as a summer player and started as a loans manager. He wasn't there ten years doing it. A few months.
"My issue with Jonny is he's got no coaching. It's not as if he worked in the academy for a few years.
Roy Keane during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between England and Andorra at Villa Park.
Roy Keane didn't hold back on his thoughts on United's appointment of Jonny Evans as first team coach. (Image: James Gill - Danehouse, Getty Images)
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"He comes in with Darren Fletcher and he has very little experience but he's worked at academy level. Jonny gets a phone call saying: 'Do you want to come back?'"
"And I bet Jonny's thinking, 'As a kit manager or working with the Under-12s?' No, no, you're working with the first team with Darren. Okay, great opportunity.
"You have two games, doesn't go too well. That's probably the end of that. No, no. Another manager comes in, he wants you to stay on as well."
Despite failing to secure a win under interim manager Darren Fletcher following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, Carrick's debut match as United's boss couldn't have gone much better, as they triumphed 2-0 over Pep Guardiola's title-contending City side.
Carrick and his coaching staff will be hoping for the same outcome next week when the team heads to the Emirates Stadium to face league leaders Arsenal on Sunday (4.30pm).
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