Roy Keane believes Manchester United fans don't have a 'clue what's going on' regarding Cristiano Ronaldo's indiscipline at Manchester United.
Ronaldo was not involved in United's 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Saturday as he had been left at home by Erik ten Hag as punishment for refusing to be substituted on in Wednesday's win against Tottenham. Many fans have been left impressed with the Dutchman's deft handling of the situation, with Gary Neville being one of them.
"Ten Hag's not criticised him; he's handled it well," Neville said during a heated debate with Keane on Sky Sports following the game. "He's been calm with it. Ten Hag's not come out, stitched him up and said he's out of order. He said, 'I've spoken about Cristiano enough'."
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However, Keane launched a staunch defence of Ronaldo as he claimed players in the past had done worse actions and said that United fans who don't want Ronaldo to start matches are clueless. Keane said: "Gary, there are players at Man United who have done a lot worse than what he's done." To which Neville replied: "In this current moment?"
Keane said: "Where do you want me to get started? Scholsey's [Paul Scholes], great lad… let me finish. Scholesy refused to play at Man United."
"I know he did," Neville responded. Keane continued: "We said nothing to him." Neville said: "He was fined two weeks' wages."
"Ronaldo will be fined for this, but he'll find his way back," Keane said. "Rio Ferdinand missed a drugs test; he got banned for eight months. [Eric] Cantona..." Neville said: "He [Cantona] was banned for six months."
Keane continued: "Yes, whose fault is that? The club's fault or the teammates'?"
Neville then put a question to Keane: "Do you not think Cristiano Ronaldo should be punished this week?"
"Dead right," Keane replied. "You're saying he can't deal with being sub. He was top goalscorer [last season]." Neville said: "He can't."
Keane then showed his support for Ronaldo, saying: "They played Man City a few weeks ago and it could've been 16 [goals they conceded]. The manager says, 'I'm not bringing him on' because he didn’t want to disrespect Ronaldo. He goes to Everton a week later, comes on, scores a goal. Starts against Newcastle…"
Neville, turning up the heat on the conversation, said: "Roy, there's not many Manchester United fans who would have Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting XI."
Keane then took aim at United's supporters, saying: "I couldn’t care less what fans think. I couldn't care less. A lot of the fans haven't got a clue what's going on."
Neville hit back, continuing: "They score more goals without him and they get more points without him. That's a fact. He's coming to the end of his career and Manchester United are a better team without him. He's just got to get used to it or leave."
Keane responded: "That's fine. If you feel you're being treated unfairly, which he obviously thinks, there's arguments for and against."
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