Roy Keane opposes former teammates in ongoing Kobbie Mainoo debate

Roy Keane is one of the greatest players in Manchester United history.

During his 11 and a half years at the club, Keane guided United to a UEFA Chanpions League, seven Premier League titles and four FA Cups.

He is widely seen as one of the greatest captains in English football history.

His passion for the club is clear to see in his post-retirement media career, despite a disappointing exit from the club in 2005 and public fall out with former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Keane was around for the glory days at United and knows the club inside out.

He has been very vocal on the current plight of the club and what has been going on with midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.

After an impressive breakthrough season for United, Mainoo has struggled for gametime since the arrival of manager Ruben Amorim.

Mainoo’s half brother Jordan Mainoo-Hames was at Monday’s 4-4 draw with AFC Bournemouth and posted a picture on his Instagram account wearing a ‘Free Kobbie Mainoo’ tshirt.

This has drawn plenty of media attention, and Keane has had his say on this in addition to his overall take on Mainoo’s situation.

The Sun have reported that Keane has urged Mainoo to prove Amorim wrong and fight for his place whilst on the Stick to Football podcast.

“Are you telling me he can’t sit there for another six months?

“He might think the manager might be gone in the summer, one or two of the senior players might be gone.

“He’s 20 years of age, what’s wrong with sitting and learning your trade? And even if you’re not getting a chance, we’ve all had to do it at different levels.

“Sometimes a manager is on your case and what you have to do is look at a manager and go ‘I’ll prove you wrong’.

“Every day is your challenge to prove to the manager and when that manager is picking the team I’m going to train like a beast and when you’re writing that team you’re going to go, ‘he has to play’.

“He’s got to get that in his mindset.

“And when he’s got his idiot of a brother doing all that.

”We shouldn’t even be giving his brother the time of day. Sometimes you’re just surrounded by idiots, especially the families.

“The life of a footballer is about trying to prove people wrong.

“Bruno might get injured. There was chat about Bruno leaving in the summer. Bruno might leave next summer, so you bide your time as a young player.

“I’ve no problem players going out on loan, it can work for everybody, but sometimes as a player, your biggest challenge is here at Man United and getting into that first-team.

“Even if the manager is saying ‘you’re not going to get in ahead of Bruno’, your mindset should be), ‘I’m going to prove you wrong’.”

United take on Aston Villa away from home on Sunday in their next game as they will attempt to improve their recent form that has seen them win just two of their last seven games.