Roy Keane makes decision on wearing a poppy on live TV after Joey Barton questioning

Despite previous criticism from Joey Barton, Roy Keane proudly wore his poppy on Sky Sports during Manchester United’s home game against Chelsea this Sunday. The poppy is traditionally worn by TV hosts and guests throughout November as a mark of respect for fallen soldiers.

Keane adhered to this tradition during Sky’s coverage of the Liverpool v Arsenal match last weekend, which led Barton to question his decision on social media. The ex-footballer queried: “Why has Roy Keane got a Poppy on? “.

The act of wearing or not wearing the poppy has sparked controversy in the past, with James McClean often finding himself at the heart of such debates. Keane once again sported his poppy during Sky Sports’ Sunday coverage.

Following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, Keane criticised United’s players. He voiced his disappointment: “Disappointed, you always are [after a manager’s sacked]. It’s a new start, new manager coming in in a couple of weeks. You always wish him well.”

He continued: “It’s a big challenge for him trying to get Man United back competing at the top of the table. It’s a big ask, you wish him well.”

Keane also expressed sympathy for the outgoing manager: “But you always have sympathy for a manager losing his job and ultimately I think, whatever [you think] about the board, the players let him down by their efforts and not being good enough.”

He went on to detail the hurdles that the new manager will face: “The challenge will be, of course, getting players in,” he continued. We make the point about there’s a few players in the United team in big positions who can’t run, right, which is a big problem.”

“But they also have players who don’t want to run, or when they do run they don’t run hard enough, or run fast enough or long enough, so he’s got to get that in the dressing room, that mentality – and the players who aren’t doing it, you have to try move them on, which is difficult because they’re on long-term contracts.”