Roy Keane tipped to make shock Man Utd return despite controversial Bruno Fernandes comments

Roy Keane has been tipped to make a sensational return to Manchester United, almost 20 years after he left the club in controversial circumstances.

The 53-year-old, who made 480 appearances for United during a trophy-laden 12-year spell, left Old Trafford following a much-publicised rift with Sir Alex Ferguson – something he has spoken about on numerous occasions.

He would go on to join Scottish Premiership side Celtic in December 2005 but a year later, Keane announced his retirement on medical advice.

Since hanging up his boots, the former Republic of Ireland international has turned his hand to punditry following spells in management with Sunderland and Ipswich Town.

He also spent time at Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa as an assistant coach to Martin O'Neil and Paul Lambert respectively, but what about a future coaching role at another old stomping ground?

Well, former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre believes his ex-teammate could help solve a major issue at Manchester United.

“I think it would be great for Roy Keane to play a role at Manchester United,” Silvestre told Yaysweepstakes. “Because, the thing is with Roy, he always treated everybody exactly the same way. It didn’t matter if you were a new signing, an old guy, the manager, everybody. That's how he got respect. That's how Sir Alex got respect. If you treat everybody the same, no problem.

“Now, it's true you have players, and as soon as you say something to them, they don't collapse, but it affects them much more. We used to have thicker skin.

"I saw Joshua Zirkzee apologising on social media about missing his penalty against Fulham. So you missed a penalty – you didn't kill anybody! There is no need for that. Plus, he had a good game, so don't blame yourself, it happens.”

The Frenchman added: “I can remember when Paul Scholes missed a penalty in the FA Cup final [in 2005] and we lost to Arsenal,” he continued. “He was one of the best players of his generation, but he didn’t apologise because that can happen in professional sport. You have to accept it and bounce back.

“I think it’s a bit of a problem with this generation of players. They find criticism harder to take. If Roy Keane was involved at Manchester United, if he was on the inside with the group, he would have to protect and work for the group, you wouldn’t see him criticising players in public, so there wouldn't be any issue.”

Keane has been tipped to join United's coaching staff. Image credit: Getty

Silvestre's comments come just days after Keane ripped into Bruno Fernandes when fellow pundit Ian Wright said the Portuguese midfielder has been "saving" United this season.

"Bruno's a talented player, but talent is not enough," Keane exclaimed. "Talent is not enough, Wrighty!"

Keane then name-dropped former Arsenal captain Tony Adams, claiming he was a 'fighter' unlike Fernandes. "You've got young players in the dressing room... you have to look at somebody and go; 'I like what he does'," he added.

"But you want someone's going 'lads are you with me?'"

Wright continued to defend Fernandes, arguing: "But maybe he's not that captain... but what he's doing in respects of... saving you, playing that pass, the goal. If Bruno's not there.. United are in the relegation places."