Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has delivered a blunt dismissal of any notion he could return to help the club, describing the current environment at Old Trafford as "a circus act".
Keane's Scathing Assessment of United's Turmoil
The outspoken pundit made his comments on Saturday, January 17, 2026, ahead of Michael Carrick's first match as interim manager against Manchester City. Keane has been a fierce critic of the club's hierarchy following the sacking of previous manager Ruben Amorim and questioned the recent appointment of Jonny Evans to a coaching role.
When asked on Sky Sports if he would consider coming back to assist the team, Keane's response was unequivocal. "Would I come and help Man Utd? No, it'd probably be no," he stated. He cited a lack of autonomy as a key reason, saying he wouldn't want to work with people above him dictating staff and transfer decisions.
Chaos Behind the Scenes at Old Trafford
Keane pointed to significant "chaos going on in the background" at United. While acknowledging that Amorim's stubbornness and poor results contributed to his downfall, Keane suggested the former boss would eventually reveal he was unhappy with decisions made over his head.
Despite his harsh words, the 54-year-old Irishman did express some hope for Carrick's temporary tenure. He believes the new interim staff, which includes the recently appointed Evans, could still generate momentum. "If they start well and get momentum I still think there's a great chance for the team to get in the Champions League, which has got to be the aim," Keane added.
Former Players' Calls Ignored
Keane's remarks shut down suggestions from other United legends, such as Jaap Stam, who believed a strong personality like his could restore order to the dressing room. However, Keane gave such ideas "short shrift", firmly closing the door on a sensational return to the club where he famously captained the team to multiple honours.
The focus now turns to Carrick, who begins his interim reign in earnest with the daunting Manchester derby. The club will be hoping to prove Keane's 'circus' label wrong and start a positive run under their former midfielder.
