Roy Keane backed for Man Utd role as Sir Jim Ratcliffe deal nears completion

Manchester United icon Roy Keane could be in store for an audacious return to the club 18 years after his acrimonious exit.

At least that's according to fellow Old Trafford alumnus Steve Bruce, who has suggested the Irishman could be open to a coaching post with the Red Devils. United are in the midst of an overhaul as Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes control of team matters, with his £1.3billion deal for 25% of the club on the verge of completion.

Keane, 52, famously left United in 2005 after falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson, making the move into management almost immediately after his retirement the following year. And it's Bruce's belief Keane could be willing to stage a reunion after all these years.

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“It wouldn’t surprise me to see Roy take up a role at Man United,” the 62-year-old told The Irish Examiner. “We all know how highly he’s thought of at the club as he was there for 13 years and served as a huge captain for them. Who knows? I’m sure he’d be open to any discussion.”

Ratcliffe already appears to be making his mark at Old Trafford, with chief executive Richie Arnold set to leave the club at the end of 2023. It's also understood director John Murtough could be heading for the exit in the near future.

Keane hasn't held a coaching position since he spent six months as an assistant at Nottingham Forest – his first English club as a player – in 2019. Prior to that, he served as an assistant with Aston Villa and the Republic of Ireland after previously managing Sunderland and Ipswich Town.

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The former midfield hard man has since concentrated on his media career and remains a beloved member of the Sky Sports punditry team. However, it's likely he'd be welcomed with open arms by many at Old Trafford.

Keane has been hyper-critical of some United teams in recent years, suggesting certain players shouldn't be in the squad after failing to impress. Just this season, he's described Bruno Fernandes as being underserving of the club's captaincy.

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Erik ten Hag already has one of Keane's former team-mates, Darren Fletcher, on his coaching staff. That's in addition to No2 Steve McClaren, who previously served as assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson between 1999 and 2001.

The Red Devils return to Premier League action at Everton on Saturday, currently sat sixth in the Premier League and with their Champions League group fate hanging in the balance. If there were any figure capable of injecting some resolve into the team for the remainder of the campaign, Keane might be the man to do so.

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