Man Utd ‘crying out’ for new Keane as Solskjaer continues squad overhaul

Former Manchester United midfielder Alan Smith believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad is “crying out” for a leader like Roy Keane.

Keane earned a reputation as a hard man in midfield as well as being a leader in the dressing room, helping United to win 17 major trophies during a glittering 12-year spell.

The Irishman ultimately left Old Trafford to join Celtic in 2006, having racked up 460 appearances for the Red Devils, but Smith feels Keane has never been replaced.

And the ex-Red Devils midfielder went on to suggest that Solskjaer should target a big character as part of his squad overhaul this summer, despite already bringing in Donny van de Beek.

“Roy Keane is probably impossible to replace as a player and as a character, especially at Manchester United,” Smith told United’s official podcast.

“I still don’t think it’s been done now, and it’s been crying out for someone like Roy Keane to be in the dressing room and on the field as Roy was.

“No-one could ever replicate it, so it was [about me] trying to do as good a job in a similar position. It wasn’t like, ‘you’re going to be a Roy Keane’. I could never do that job.”

Smith, who played alongside Keane during his early days at United, also feels the legendary midfielder was under-rated as a footballer.

“You could ask any player that’s played with him or against him and I’d say 99 per cent of them would all have the same answer for you,” he added.

“For me, it’s not just a case of Roy being a leader. That’s so disrespectful to him as a footballer as well. You don’t play for Manchester United and captain them based on just being a leader.

“That’s such an unfair criticism of someone who’s probably been one of the Premier League’s greatest central midfield players.”