FORMER Republic of Ireland skipper Andy Townsend reckons Roy Keane would be the ideal man to take the Man Utd job should Erik ten Hag be replaced in the coming months.
Pressure is mounting on Dutchman Ten Hag following a poor start to the season that has seen the Red Devils win just three of their first eight games in all competitions.
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Utd are coming off a 3-0 hammering at home to Tottenham Hotspurs last Sunday.
And the former Aston Villa and Chelsea midfielder reckons his ex-Ireland team-mate would be the perfect man to take the reins at Old Trafford.
Townsend cited Keane’s no nonsense attitude as being something that the Red Devils players need to get them going.
Utd conceded numerous sloppy goals in recent weeks with players coming under fire from fans and pundit for their displays.
Roy Keane’s last managerial role was with Ipswich Town, where he was the manager from April 2009 to January 2011.
Since then, Keane has focused on roles as a football pundit and assistant manager for various teams, including the Republic of Ireland national team and Aston Villa.
But Townsend reckons he’d be the man to give Utd a boost if INEOS make a change in the coming weeks or months.
Speaking on TalkSport, Townsend said: “I don’t know if Keano would even want it but what he would – if he said look, ‘I’ll take the job.’
“You could imagine what it would be like, the first game back at Old Trafford – the expectancy.
“And the player’s need shaking up. Managers and people in general p***y foot around footballers and players because we can’t upset them – afraid to do this, and afraid to do that – get ahold of them and get them going.
“If you can’t handle that, then you’re at the wrong club and almost in the wrong business.
“There comes a point with the boys [ Man Utd players] when they get in their cars and think, ‘we’re not doing it, it’s not good enough.’ – they’re human beings; they will be saying that.”
Manchester United face Porto in the Europa League on Thursday night before they take on Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday before the international break.
