Manchester United legend Roy Keane has launched a blistering attack on his former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, accusing him of contributing to the club's prolonged decline by "hanging around like a bad smell." The Irishman's explosive comments came during a Sky Sports appearance where he dissected the club's ongoing struggles.
Keane's Explosive Sky Sports Rant
Keane, who famously fell out with Ferguson in 2005, did not hold back in his criticism of the current power structure at Old Trafford. He pointed directly at the enduring influence of the 84-year-old Ferguson and former chief executive David Gill as a core problem. "You still have Alex Ferguson and David Gill hanging around like a bad smell," Keane stated bluntly. He questioned the club's recruitment process for managers, asking how they repeatedly appoint the wrong people.
"What happens in these job interviews? I'm intrigued," Keane said. "Why do they keep giving jobs to certain people? What happens in the interview where you sit there and say, and 12, 14 months later: 'He's not the guy for us.' Don't you realise when you talk to them? You look someone in the eyes and..." His co-pundit, Daniel Sturridge, was seen visibly trying to contain his laughter during the tirade.
Fletcher's 'Blessing' and the Managerial Merry-Go-Round
Keane's criticism was partly triggered by interim manager Darren Fletcher's admission that he sought Sir Alex Ferguson's "blessing" before taking the temporary role. Fletcher, who was given his debut by Ferguson in 2003, said: "I don't like making big decisions or doing things without speaking to Sir Alex... I wanted to speak to him first and, ultimately, to get his blessing."
This revelation underscored Keane's point about Ferguson's shadow. Fletcher is the eleventh man to take charge, permanently or temporarily, since Ferguson retired after winning the club's 13th Premier League title in 2013. The list includes Erik ten Hag, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and the recently dismissed Rubén Amorim. Fletcher himself only managed a 2-2 draw against Burnley, a performance Keane labelled "a joke."
Search for Solace and a New Manager
With Fletcher expected to be replaced before the season's end, the club is again searching for leadership. Names linked include former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær, which ex-Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor called "embarrassing," and Michael Carrick, who had a brief interim spell in 2021.
Keane argued that the decision-makers, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Jason Wilcox, need to look beyond CVs. "You have to look someone in the eyes and say 'Are you the man to take us places?'" he insisted. He warned that without the right character, the players will "eat you alive." In defence of Ferguson, it was noted he holds no formal role and was told by INEOS in 2024 not to visit the dressing room post-match. However, for Keane, the cultural dependency remains a significant barrier to progress at Manchester United.
