Roy Keane has admitted his 'very embarrassing fitness levels' stop him turning out in games as a Manchester United legend.
The charity games have become a frequent feature of the summer, with the likes of Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Patrice Evra have all played in recent editions of these games. But Keane has been a noticeable absence, failing to feature in any of the matches.
They have usually been held to support charities and have mostly been very well attended, though that has not tempted Keane into playing. The Irishman has now revealed the reasoning behind his rejection of the invitations he has had to play in the games.
And rather than any ill-feelings towards former opponents, it is concerns over his fitness that are behind his absences. Keane retired in 2006 and has stated that injury issues that plagued the end of his career have also had a negative impact.
"I'm not fit. I'm far from fit. My fitness levels are actually very, very embarrassing. Just because I've not put on loads of weight doesn't mean to say I'm fit. I wouldn't really be able to do any running," he told Off the Ball.
"Put it this way, I've been invited a number of times over the last few years to play legends games or whatever you want to call it. I'd find it really difficult because I wouldn't be able to get around.
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"Too many injury problems. I try to have a decent diet obviously and I'm wary of putting on too much weight, but I certainly wouldn't be fit enough to go on any sort of run."
The current United side could certainly use a player of Keane's ilk, following their dire defeat to Brighton last Sunday. And following that loss, the Red Devils legend once again took aim at the character of Erik ten Hag's squad.
"The reason you play for Man United is because you can deal with these occasions. What’s the point in playing for United if you can’t deal with Liverpool or a setback like today. That’s the big doubt about these players, what’s going on in the training ground ,what’s the feeling in the group?" Keane told Sky Sports.
"They’re obviously lacking confidence. They stopped running, they don't’ cover the hard yards and that’s the big worry. You have to have a certain character to play for Man United when there is 65,000, 75,000 at the match moaning and groaning.
"You stick your chest out and say 'I can deal with this, I can deal with this expectation', you don’t have to be the best player in English football but deal with that expectation. The players, we seen it today, can’t deal with a setback.
"OK Brighton come they’re neat and tidy, they score okay no need to panic then they give another goal away. They have to chase the game. Man United have to be better than that. They don’t run, they don’t sprint, they’re not closing down. To me that’s not giving 100 per cent."
