Roy Keane quizzed over interim Man Utd job and reveals his one fear about position

Manchester United icon Roy Keane was propositioned with the idea of taking over at his old club, but the no-nonsense pundit pointed to one factor that would put him off

There are numerous factors that might put a manager off Manchester United at present – but one factor sticks out to club legend Roy Keane.

The managerial job at Old Trafford is once again a topic of discussion after United went into the international break sat 14th in the Premier League. And Erik ten Hag's days are numbered after co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Joel Glazer both attended a seven-hour crisis meeting in London on Tuesday, although he looks set to continue for now.

Former Sunderland manager Keane - who won seven Premier League titles as a United player - has been linked with the helm frequently over the years. However, the Irishman has suggested he'd be put off by the lack of authority the incumbent appears to hold at his old stomping ground.

"They're not gonna be asking me," said Keane in alarm after Ian Wright put forward the suggestion on the latest episode of The Overlap. "They just wouldn't... they just wouldn't."

Keane initially refused to speculate on the idea, before adding: "I'm not saying he's not a good manager or he hasn't got good coaching staff, but in the summer they changed all the coaching staff! So you're on about a manager having a bit of power and control of the football club – I'll bet you Ten Hag's got none of that!

"So players will look at the manager and go, 'well, all your staff went in the summer. I didn't see you fighting for any of them. You're bringing more staff in.' I just think it looks chaotic, doesn't it?"

Arsenal legend Wright wrapped up by asking the former Ipswich boss whether he would at least consider taking over at Old Trafford on a temporary basis, like his former team-mates Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick have done since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement. But Keane appeared resolute in his response as he said: "I'm not leaving you, Wrighty," while patting him on his thigh.

Despite ending his 12-year Old Trafford tenure on sour terms with Ferguson, Keane was given an exemplary insight on how a manager can get the most out of his role. Ferguson, 82, was renowned for having influence (and often the final say) in all areas at United, but clubs have grown to delegate more in the modern day.

Some managers still exert an all-encompassing presence across their clubs, though often those with substantial experience at the elite level.

Ten Hag won three Eredivisie titles with Ajax, but the move to England represented a major step up in his career.

Keane, 53, hasn't achieved as much in his own coaching career, but his reputation at Old Trafford – not to mention his naturally fierce personality – could still at least demand a certain respect at United. However, after 13 years without a senior management role, Keane may not be the candidate the club needs to launch a resurgence in any case.

Ex-PSV boss Ruud van Nistelrooy is one temporary option the club could consider, after he was brought in during the summer as a new assistant for Ten Hag. Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel is out of work and has admirers at Old Trafford.

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