Roy Keane is not always full of positivity when it comes to his former club, Manchester United. But the former captain had the Red Devils’ best interests at heart when he proposed two top signings in 2023.
While the two superstars Keane encouraged his old club to sign have only reached greater heights, the now 54-year-old Irishman was quick to express concern about a signing the club actually made. If they had listened to Keane’s advice, things might have been different at Old Trafford now.
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Of course, that’s much easier said than done. In 2026, the two players are worth a combined £160 million (according to Transfermarkt), proving just how good they are.
Roy Keane asked Manchester United to sign English duo
When asked which team he thought could challenge reigning Premier League champions Manchester City in the upcoming season, Keane claimed that he hoped United would be the answer.
But he pointed to some business they had to do for it to become a reality Sky Sports: “They need to get a world-class striker, but it’s going to be difficult because City are fantastic with a great, great manager.”
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He then mentioned two English stars, who were chased by some of the biggest clubs in world football. Keane claimed that Harry Kane and Declan Rice should have been at the top of the club’s wish list:
“They’re going to be linked with a lot of players, but the one who would really give you goosebumps is [Harry] Kane.”
“I think Rice would do that, he’d be a good signing, but in terms of excitement and goal-scoring, they’ve got to go for Kane, but can you see Spurs selling to United? Very, very difficult.”
Kane later signed for Bayern Munich and has broken many goal records in Germany, while United have struggled to find a consistent nine. Rice, on the other hand, went to Arsenal for over £100 million and has already justified the high price tag by helping Arsenal become Premier League champions in the waiting room.
Manchester United were warned against the signing of Mason Mount
One deal United actually completed in the summer of 2023 was the transfer of midfielder Mason Mount from Chelsea for £60 million. There had already been speculation about the England international’s future, but Keane was not convinced.
“I wouldn’t be so sure about Mount,” he said before adding, “He’s just stalled a little bit. I know he can bounce back, and he has qualities, and I was completely engrossed in him a few years ago.”
“He’s just been a little bit invisible for the last year or two, had a couple of injuries, and the fact that he doesn’t make the team of a bad Chelsea team.”
“I wouldn’t hang my hat too much on him in terms of improving United and closing the gap. I think he’s a good player, but would he improve United? I’m not so sure.”
In the two-and-a-half years he has spent at Old Trafford so far, Mount has managed just seven goals and two assists in 65 appearances. Although he has had several injury problems since the transfer, Keane has so far been confirmed in his caution around the uneven Englishman.
The mood turned yesterday at Old Trafford in Michael Carrick’s first game back as interim manager. Manchester United won 2 – 0 over Manchester City and moved up to 4th place in the Premier League for a few hours.
