Manchester United are on the hunt for a new manager after Ruben Amorim’s sacking, with a growing number of former team-mates backing Roy Keane to return to Old Trafford
Manchester United icon Roy Keane has garnered increasing support to step in as Ruben Amorim’s replacement. Yet the Irishman may have scuppered any opportunity of returning to the club where he achieved legendary status.
United, currently under the guidance of caretaker manager Darren Fletcher, are actively searching for a new interim boss to lead them until the summer after Amorim’s dismissal following a heated outburst directed at certain club officials. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is understood to be among the frontrunners for the position, alongside fellow United icon Michael Carrick.
Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt recently threw their weight behind their former skipper to assume control for the remainder of the campaign. Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Butt supported the idea and maintained Keane has “changed unbelievably in the last 10 years.”
Gary Pallister, meanwhile, recognised Keane’s extended absence from the dugout but still backed his former colleague to “shake it up” at United. At a minimum, he suggested the Irishman would “certainly command respect,” which can often prove crucial in extracting performances from players.
Bryan Robson has also backed Keane, 54, to return to management after a prolonged spell away. Speaking in October, the United legend suggested his countryman could team up with former team-mate John O’Shea in coaching the Republic of Ireland.
However, Keane – who hasn’t been in charge of a club since departing Ipswich Town in 2011 – may have already damaged his prospects at Old Trafford. This comes after he questioned Sir Alex Ferguson’s continuing influence at the club, suggesting the Scot keeps “hanging on like a bad smell.”
“You see who’s making the decisions at Manchester United. You still have Ferguson and [former United chief executive] David Gill hanging on like a bad smell,” said Keane in a recent appearance on Sky Sports. “Who’s making the decisions? [Co-owner Sir Jim] Ratcliffe, [director of football Jason] Wilcox?”
That said, there’s a possibility Ratcliffe might actually appreciate Keane’s defiant attitude towards Ferguson. This follows the British billionaire and minority owner’s decision to terminate his £2.16million-a-year global ambassador position.
Following more than 10 years away from the dugout, Keane has indicated he’d be willing to return to management. Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast in 2023, he said: “I’d like to go back in, yeah… I think it’s just the challenge of getting back in.
“I’ve been out of management for a number of years now, but I’m still agitated every Saturday about not having a team. And I’ve not managed for 10 to 11 years, so it never goes away.”
While he’s evidently keen on returning to the dugout, Keane – who left United amid controversy in 2005 – has consistently ruled out a comeback at Old Trafford. Moreover, he’s already voiced his preference for Amorim’s successor, backing Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.
“I like what Howe has done, he’s managed a lot of games, his teams play good football,” he remarked this month. “I know he has his critics, but I like what he’s done at Newcastle, even at Bournemouth. He’s managed 700, 800 games. I like his calmness – I think Man United sometimes need a bit of that.
“I like people with emotion. I’m quite an emotional person, but his calmness, what he’s done at Newcastle. Getting them into the Champions League, winning a [Carabao] Cup. I’d be happy to see him go in there.”
These remarks suggest the former midfield enforcer isn’t attempting to advance his own credentials for the role. Nevertheless, Keane has no shortage of backing for the position, with numerous supporters eager to see a fresh approach with the next manager.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
