Manchester United legend Roy Keane recently appeared on a show, blaming the club’s decline on Sir Alex Ferguson’s influence that "lingers like an unpleasant stench".
Keane fell out with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2005. He believes that United’s decision-makers have been indecisive, hindering the club’s development.
Darren Fletcher, United’s interim manager, admitted that he sought Ferguson’s approval before taking the role, even though the Scotsman retired back in 2013.
Keane fears that United’s downward trend will only continue unless the club’s hierarchy makes the right choice for the next permanent manager. Speaking on show, he said: “What on earth is happening with these job interviews? I’m curious. Why do they keep giving the job to certain people? What happens in these interviews? They sit there, then 12 months, 14 months later say 'he’s not the right man for us'.”
“Don’t you see it when you talk to them? You look them in the eye and then... You look at who’s making decisions at United... Alex Ferguson and David Gill (former United CEO, now board member) are still hanging on like a bad smell.”
“Who is making the decisions? Sir Ratcliffe, Wilcox? Who is involved in this interview process? You talk to a manager, you get a feeling about him, then say 'he’s the one for us'?”
“Forget the CVs. Of course, you need something on the CV, proof that you’ve won trophies or have long-term coaching experience, but you have to look them in the eye and ask 'are you the one to take us forward'?”
“What happens when someone walks into your dressing room, and the top players sit there and ask 'what can you bring to us'? That’s what top players do. If you don’t have the answers, the players will eat you alive.”
“The standard in the game against Burnley was a joke. After the match, everyone was saying 'it wasn’t too bad, we played well'—rubbish! Total nonsense. We’re going around in circles. Any former United player is getting a chance (to be manager).”
Other authoritative media came to Ferguson’s defense, stating that he can’t help it if former players want to call him, and the 84-year-old currently holds no formal position at United. In 2024, INEOS terminated his multi-million-pound ambassadorial role and told him not to enter the dressing room after games.
Fletcher shares an especially close bond with Ferguson, having made his debut under the legendary manager at 19 in 2003 and remained at the club throughout Ferguson’s tenure.
Talking about taking over as United’s interim manager, Fletcher said: “I don’t like making any major decisions without consulting Sir Alex Ferguson. That’s been my approach to everything, from my time at the club to after I left.”
"I have an excellent relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson, so he was actually probably the first person I called. I wanted to talk to him first. And, frankly, ultimately to gain his blessing."
