Man United icons agree on Roy Keane as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in talks to replace Ruben Amorim
Manchester United are working to appoint an interim head coach after Ruben Amorim was sacked on Monday mornign after 14 months in charge at Old Trafford
17:03, 07 Jan 2026
Thomas Tuchel and Roy Keane before England’s World Cup qualifier against Serbia at Wembley Stadium(Image: (Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images))
Manchester United have been told why Roy Keane would be the perfect interim manager amid talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Ruben Amorim’s 14 underwhelming months at Old Trafford ended on Monday morning when he was sacked by the club.
Darren Fletcher has been placed in temporary charge, while Solskjaer and Michael Carrick are set for further talks with United later this week as the club work to appoint an interim head coach. But United hero Gary Pallister would love to see Keane given the job on an interim basis, as he believes his former team-mate would not only ‘command respect’ from players but also have no hesitation in calling those who are underperforming out.
“Roy’s a big name and a legend – but so was Bryan Robson, and he never got the chance to manage United even though he was in the management game for a period of time,” he said via Hard Rock Bet.
“Roy’s dipped in and out of management and made his name as an outspoken pundit now. He’s good value when you see him on the TV. He’d certainly command respect in the dressing room and shape it up, I have no doubt about that.
“But with what has gone on with Roy, I’m not sure. Maybe if it was seven or eight years ago, you would’ve thought of it as a possible chance, but he’s been out of management for a long time and has been very critical of United publicly.
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“Would players respond to that? I don’t know. He’s a winner and he’d change the mindset of a lot of those players, but whether it is feasible I am not sure. Football is very different now. Would I like to see it? Yes, he is a character. If people aren’t performing, he will call them out.
“Football is very protected. Someone like Roy and his aggressive managerial style, I don’t know if it would upset a few players in that dressing room.”
Pallister’s comments come after both Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt threw their backing behind Keane becoming the next United manager on either an interim or permanent basis.
Butt said: “Tuchel is my No1, my No2 maybe Michael Carrick, but my outsider… go and get Keaney. People might laugh and he might not want the job.
“But United have tried everything: superstar managers in Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, one of their own in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer then they’ve got one of the best coaches in Europe in Ruben Amorim, with a few in between.
Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes have given their views on Roy Keane(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“Some have been shocking. Why not have a conversation with Keane? He would lead the dressing room, he might fall out with a few, he might knock a couple out, let’s be honest, but the fanbase would go whoom [together and upwards].
“It might never happen. It will take a real strong leader to employ him, but sit down and have a chat with him.
“Roy has changed unbelievably in the last ten years – he’s always been funny and great company, but he’s calmed down so much, and he definitely knows his flaws and would bring people in to accommodate that.
“He will blow and cause problems, but he would put something in the changing room that it’s not had for a long time.”
Scholes agreed with his former team-mate, saying. “The reaction would be like Cristiano Ronaldo coming back. It probably won’t happen, but people forget how good Roy was as a manager.
“He did an incredible job at Sunderland. The reason he has calmed down may be because he hasn’t had to deal with players.”
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