Roy Keane has never been one to hold back when offering his opinions on Manchester United players since moving into punditry. In December 2023, the former United captain called for 10 players from his old club to be shown the exit door. Most of those have since departed, though two notable exceptions remain at Old Trafford.
The Original Demand
When Keane made his remarks on The Overlap, United were struggling under Erik ten Hag. The Dutch manager had the team sixth in the Premier League with only 18 goals scored in their opening 15 matches, while their Champions League campaign was already on the brink of elimination before Christmas. Keane was asked whether United should retain or offload various first-team players, and he placed 10 names in the sell column.
Defensive Departures
Among the defenders Keane deemed surplus to requirements were Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane, and Jonny Evans. Varane left in the summer of 2024 and retired a few months later after a short stint at Como. Evans and Lindelof both departed at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
Midfield and Attack
In midfield, Keane wanted Christian Eriksen and Sofyan Amrabat gone. Amrabat failed to secure a permanent move after a year-long loan, while Eriksen now plays for Wolfsburg in Germany. Up front, Keane was prepared to see Antony, Anthony Martial, and Jadon Sancho leave. Martial was released in 2024, Antony moved permanently to Real Betis in 2025 after a successful loan, and Sancho will need to find a new club when his contract expires this summer.
The Two Exceptions
Despite Keane's reservations, Diogo Dalot has proven his worth through adaptability. The Portugal international has played full-back or wing-back on both flanks, and his reliable fitness record has made him a key asset for multiple managers. Harry Maguire, whom Keane said United "need better" than in 2023, has also survived. Under Michael Carrick, Maguire secured a contract extension after recovering from injury just in time to start Carrick's first match as interim boss in January. He has been a consistent starter since and earned an England recall after more than a year out.
"Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United," said director of football Jason Wilcox. "He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad."
