Manchester United have received a stark warning against turning to club legend Roy Keane as a potential interim manager following the sacking of Ruben Amorim.
Foster's Verdict on Keane's Temperament
The Portuguese manager, Ruben Amorim, was dismissed on Monday morning, 5 January 2026, just a day after a fiery press conference that followed a 1-1 Premier League draw with Leeds United. With Darren Fletcher taking temporary charge for the midweek fixture against Burnley, the club is weighing its options for a stop-gap boss until the season's end.
While Keane's name has been floated by some pundits, former United and Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster has strongly advised against the move. Speaking on his 'Fozcast' podcast, Foster humorously predicted that Keane's infamous lack of patience with modern players would lead to a swift exit.
"I think Roy Keane would last about five minutes with these players before he punches somebody in the face," Foster joked. "One of those players not tracking back or throwing their arms in the air and bang."
The Case for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Return
Instead, Foster has proposed a familiar face to bring stability back to the Old Trafford dugout: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Norwegian has been out of management since being let go by Besiktas in August 2025, but reports suggest he would be open to a United return.
"Solskjaer's your boy. It's a proven, tried and tested method of doing things," Foster argued. "Give him a temporary job. Give it to Ole to steady the ship, bring a bit of harmony back about the place and let the players feel good about themselves again."
Solskjaer previously took over as caretaker manager in December 2018 following Jose Mourinho's departure. A remarkable run of results earned him the job permanently, before he was ultimately dismissed in November 2021 after a poor run of form.
Long-Term Vision and Internal Challenges
Looking beyond the immediate interim solution, Foster also shared his thoughts on United's long-term managerial search. He identified Aston Villa's Unai Emery as his ideal candidate, though he expressed doubts over whether the Spaniard would be tempted by the current chaos at United.
Foster highlighted deeper structural issues at the club, telling talkSPORT: "There's too many people who are so unwilling to relinquish the bit of power that they have at United, whether it's chief execs or the director of football. No manager now will be able to come into United and just have full autonomy."
As the search continues, the immediate focus remains on appointing a steadying influence to guide the team through the remainder of the season, with Solskjaer now emerging as a leading contender for the interim role.
