Roy Keane Reacts To Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Calling Anthony Martial 'Unplayable'

Roy Keane's reaction spoke volumes after former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer described forward Anthony Martial as 'unplayable' during his time at the club.

Martial, who signed for United in 2015 for £36 million at the age of 19, was released by the club in the summer of 2024.

The France striker subsequently found a new home in Greece with AEK Athens, becoming the highest-earning player in the history of the Greek top flight.

Martial hit seven goals in 19 games for AEK as they finished in fourth place in the Greek Super League and subsequently earned a spot in this season's Conference League.

He was praised by Greek media for his role in AEK's title challenge over the winter months, but missed the majority of the end of the campaign due to injury.

The 30-year-old moved to Mexican side Monterrey in September but his time in the Americas has not gone as well so far, with Martial failing to score in any of his nine appearances.

The latter part of his time at Manchester United was dogged by injuries, while he scored just two goals in his final season with the club.

Martial was tipped as a future Ballon d'Or contender when he moved to Old Trafford, with manager Louis van Gaal stating that he had signed the Frenchman for future United bosses.

He did hit 10 goals in 27 games in 2018/19, however, and followed that up with a career-best 17 goals in 32 in the following season to prove his talent.

Solskjaer was in charge at Old Trafford across both of those seasons, and undoubtedly helped to get the best out of the France forward.

Speaking on The Overlap's Stick to Football, Solskjaer said: "So talented, so talented. On his day, he was unplayable.

"He had a good season. They played together, him and Marcus [Rashford], when we got second that year [in 2019/20].

"Everyone wanted the inside left position. Him, Marcus, Paul Pogba."

As soon as Solskjaer described Martial as 'unplayable', Keane - often a critic of Martial - sat back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling.

"On his day," Keane said. "That's not a good thing, what Ole just said. On his day. That means you don't get too many of them.

"It's just opinions Ole, no problem."

What has Keane said about Martial?

Keane regularly criticised Martial for his performances in his final seasons as a Manchester United player.

In December 2023, he called on the Frenchman to drop into the lower leagues, telling Sky Sports: "We mention Martial. We forgive Martial because he scores a goal every 14 years.

"He's touching balls off and gives the ball away cheaply. You may as well go down the leagues."

After United lost 2-0 to Tottenham in August 2023, Keane fumed: "They're bringing on players like Martial. They're bringing on these players... you might as well as bring on Frank Stapleton and Norman Whiteside [both played for United in the 1980s].

"Martial's not going to get you out of trouble."

And in January 2020, after Martial missed a big chance during United's 2-0 derby defeat against Liverpool, the Irishman commented: "For me, that sums up his career in a nutshell at United. Excellent build-up play, but you hit that target, no excuses. The big strikers at Man United who are remembered by the supporters, they certainly hit the target and hit the back of the net.

"That's why that guy is not quite good enough for Man United."