Roy Keane launched a withering assault on Manchester United's leadership and the appointment of Jonny Evans as a coach in the hours before today's Manchester derby, leaving fellow pundit Daniel Sturridge stunned.
The former United captain, who described recent events at Old Trafford as "a bit of a circus act", expressed deep reservations about Michael Carrick's appointment as interim manager until the end of the season, as well as about the coaching staff assembled around him.
Ahead of the clash with Manchester City, Keane said: "I'm more concerned with the appointment and the staff that have come in.
"We sit here every week talking about Man United being the best of the best and at this moment in time I don't see that."
The Irishman acknowledged his scepticism extended to previous regimes, adding: "Of course I'm concerned. But I said that about the previous manager."
Keane took particular aim at Carrick's track record, pointing to his time in charge at Middlesbrough as evidence of unfulfilled expectations.
The pundit said: "You look at Michael Carrick, whatever his remit was at Middlesbrough I'm pretty sure it was to get promoted, he didn't do that, so you could say he failed there.
"But it doesn't mean to say he's a bad manager. That was a difficult job."
Fellow pundit Daniel Sturridge was stunned by the rant
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The 54-year-old suggested the current squad presents an enormous challenge for any incoming boss.
He said: "Looking at the group of players they have, it's going to be a big ask."
Despite his misgivings, Keane maintained that Champions League qualification remained achievable if the team could build early momentum.
Keane also reserved his harshest words for the decision to install Jonny Evans as a first-team coach, questioning the club's judgement rather than the player himself.
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Jonny Evans has been appointed as part of the coaching staff
| ReutersHis assessment left fellow pundit Daniel Sturridge struggling to hold it together.
He explained: "I like Jonny Evans, rock solid, I've signed him twice. It's not an issue with Jonny Evans, it's more of an issue with the club and the decision making, who they're bringing in.
"Jonny Evans left Man United about four, five, six weeks ago right? He left in the summer as a player and they gave him a job as a loans manager. Leaves a month or two ago, had enough of that - not 10 years doing it, a few months.
"My issue with Jonny, he's got no coaching. It's not like he's worked with the academy for a few years."
Michael Carrick was thrilled as Manchester United impressed against Man City | GETTYThe former midfielder made clear he would have no interest in returning to assist United under the current regime.
When asked directly whether he would step in to help the club, Keane replied: "No, I wouldn't want to work with people above me dictating who your staff are and telling you what players you're bringing in."
He added: "There's been chaos going on in the background."
The pundit also hinted that Ruben Amorim, sacked earlier this month following a draw at Elland Road, would eventually speak out about interference from above.
Keane predicted: "I'm not saying the previous manager hasn't helped himself, but I guarantee one day he'll come out and say there were decisions made I wasn't happy with."
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