Watch: Roy Keane takes sly dig at Ronaldo with funny comment

Roy Keane was his usual acerbic self while on punditry duty for Manchester United‘s Premier League game against Brighton – and took a funny dig at Cristiano Ronaldo as the Portuguese star emerged for the second half.

Ronaldo’s future has been one of the most significant talking points of a summer of change at Old Trafford.

While he was United’s top scorer in 2021-22 with 18 goals in the league and 24 overall, reports have suggested he now wants to leave Old Trafford.

There has also been speculation over how he will fit into the tactical plans of new manager Erik ten Hag, but the Dutch coach has tried to quash ideas that Ronaldo is not capable of playing his high-octane pressing style.

“Cristiano is capable of doing that [pressing from the front],” Ten Hag said in July.

“In his career, he has shown everything. We want to play in a certain way. A top player can contribute and Ronaldo is an absolute top player in our squad.”

Ronaldo gained further headlines in July when he left a pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano before the end of the game – despite being in the matchday squad.

Ten Hag was forced to reprimand his 37-year-old striker for that and decided to leave him out of the starting XI for the first Premier League game of the season against Brighton.

Ronaldo started on the bench and was seen gesticulating in frustration after United conceded their first goal to the visitors. Brighton then extended their lead before the break.

As the second half was about to begin, cameras again focused in on Ronaldo and Keane was asked whether it was time for Ten Hag to bring him off the bench.

Keane took a little dig in response. “Well I’m glad he didn’t leave early,” the former United midfielder said to laughs (and some groans) in the studio.

“He’s obviously a good option. He looks like he is getting ready. They certainly didn’t want to be panicking and getting him on so quickly.”

Pressed on how long he’d leave it before bringing Ronaldo on, Keane said: “Five minutes.”

It took eight minutes in the end, but Ronaldo was brought on in place of Fred.

🗣 "I'm glad he didn't leave early." 🤣

Roy Keane on whether Manchester United should bring Cristiano Ronaldo on pic.twitter.com/Wmd1y9ydO7

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 7, 2022

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