Gary Pallister Exclusive: Roy Keane Would Change the ‘Mindset’ of Players as Man United Manager

Following the firing of Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, club legend Gary Pallister spoke exclusively to Hard Rock Bet and discussed what could be next for the Red Devils.

Pallister, who won four Premier League titles at United, revealed that Roy Keane would “change the mindset” of underperforming players, although he believes that, due to the Irishman’s criticism of his former side in recent years, it is an unlikely move.

The ex-defender also discussed the chances of a shock return for Marcus Rashford, who is currently on loan at Barcelona.

Roy Keane has been mentioned as a potential option. Is that realistic?

Gary Pallister: Roy’s a big name and a legend—but so was Bryan Robson, and he never got the chance to manage United, even though he was in the management game for a period of time.

Roy’s dipped in and out of management and has made his name as an outspoken pundit.

He’s good value when you see him on TV. He’d certainly command respect in the dressing room and shape it up—I have no doubt about that.

But with what has gone on with Roy, I’m not sure. Maybe if it was seven or eight years ago, you would’ve thought of it as a possible chance, but he’s been out of management for a long time and has been very critical of United publicly.

Would players respond to that? I don’t know. He’s a winner and he’d change the mindset of a lot of those players, but whether it is feasible, I’m not sure. Football is very different now. Would I like to see it? Yes, he is a character. If people aren’t performing, he will call them out.

Football is very protected. Someone like Roy and his aggressive managerial style—I don’t know if it would upset a few players in that dressing room.

Marcus Rashford has looked good on loan at Barcelona. Do you think he’d be interested in returning to United?

Gary Pallister: You’d have to be inside Marcus’s mind. What were the issues—was it with the manager? His body language in his final year at United didn’t look good. Whether he feels he needs a clean break from that, who knows. He didn’t look happy.

He grew up at the club, came through the academy, and starred for Manchester United from a young age. Would he want to revisit that from Barcelona? I don’t know. There’s talk of Barcelona not taking up the option.

He worked under Ole and knows Ole. If he enjoyed his time with him, then who knows—he might grab it with both hands. If Ole were back, maybe he’d consider it.

I guess it has more to do with managers than with being at Manchester United. He played well under Ole, so maybe if the Barcelona option isn’t there, then he would think about coming back.

It’s difficult. You can’t get away from Marcus not looking happy there in his last year. His body language and performances weren’t great. Whether he can be reinvigorated or reenergized and want to go again in a United shirt remains to be seen.

Talent-wise, of course you’d want Marcus Rashford. But United have options out wide now with Cunha, Mbuemo, and Diallo. Whether it’s a priority or whether the club is desperate for it—maybe not. I’m not sure.