Despite earlier criticism from Joey Barton, Roy Keane sported his poppy on Sky Sports this Sunday during Manchester United's game at home to Chelseas. Throughout November, TV hosts and guests traditionally wear the poppy as a symbol of respect for fallen soldiers.
Keane adhered to this tradition during Sky's coverage of the Liverpool v Arsenal match last weekend, prompting Barton to question his decision on social media. The former footballer asked: "Why has Roy Keane got a Poppy on? "
The act of wearing or not wearing the poppy has stirred controversy in the past, with James McClean finding himself at the centre of such debates. Keane once again wore his poppy during Sky Sports' Sunday coverage, reports the Irish Mirror.
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Following the dismissal of Erik Ten Hag, the Corkman criticised Manchester United players. On Sky Sports, Keane expressed his disappointment: "Disappointed, you always are [after a manager's sacked]," he said. "It's a new start, new manager coming in in a couple of weeks. You always wish him well."
He added: "It's a big challenge for him trying to get Man United back competing at the top of the table. It's a big ask, you wish him well."
Keane also expressed sympathy for the outgoing manager: "But you always have sympathy for a manager losing his job and ultimately I think, whatever [you think] about the board, the players let him down by their efforts and not being good enough."
He further outlined the challenges facing the incoming manager: "The challenge will be, of course, getting players in," he continued. We make the point about there's a few players in the United team in big positions who can't run, right, which is a big problem."
"But they also have players who don't want to run, or when they do run they don't run hard enough, or run fast enough or long enough, so he's got to get that in the dressing room, that mentality - and the players who aren't doing it, you have to try move them on, which is difficult because they're on long-term contracts."
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