Roy Keane contacted Man Utd player to personally apologise for 'crossing the line' as a pundit on Sky Sports

Roy Keane is renowned for his no-nonsense style as a pundit.

The former Manchester United midfielder, who has become a regular fixture on our screens for the likes of ITV and Sky Sports, continues to deliver brutally honest and, at times, controversial views on players and teams.

On Sunday evening, for example, Keane suggested that Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was more suited to Tranmere Rovers than Real Madrid after he struggled for Arne Slot's side in their clash against Manchester United.

Speaking in his half-time analysis at Anfield, Keane said: "We talk about how brilliant Trent is going forward but Trent's defending today, my goodness, it was like schoolboy stuff."

He added: "They're talking about him going to Real Madrid, the way he's defending, he's going to Tranmere Rovers after this. He's got to do better."

In the not-so-distant past, Keane has also been vocal in his criticism of former club Manchester United but last year, Keane admitted he "crossed the line" with his comments about Harry Maguire.

Speaking on an episode of The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet, the former Republic of Ireland international revealed that he even rang Maguire to personally apologise.

"I was harsh on Harry Maguire for footballing reasons, and obviously we do a lot of [Manchester] United matches," he said.

"Obviously he's struggled at United and had a tough time with England, but more so at club level. We're on about the mental health of players, and I've crossed the line with Maguire. I mocked him a little bit, and it's not nice.

"I've played the game, I know how hard it is. But I'm also big enough. I bumped into Harry a few months ago and I apologised to him.

"Sometimes as pundits we get it wrong as well, but there is a point where you go, if it's personal then it's crossing the line."

Maguire has impressed in a United shirt of late. Image credit: Getty

Looking back at the criticism he received during his playing career, Keane revealed it made his parents "very ill".

He said: "I've had big stories about me in the press before. Particularly the World Cup [the Saipan incident with Ireland in 2002] and when I left Manchester United. It has a huge effect on your family, particularly your parents.

"I've got children, and if someone was critical of my child, I'd be affected. It made my parents ill, 100 per cent. They were very ill from that stuff.

"So, we all have a responsibility without a doubt. I know we all sit in a studio, but if you stick it to football and not cross the line."