Roy Keane is back in the Sky Sports studio this weekend - and how we have missed hearing his forthright opinions. Little has been heard of the former midfielder since leaving his post with the Ireland national team last month. However, as he took up his seat alongside Gary Neville and Graeme Souness to provide his thoughts ahead of Liverpool vs Manchester United, it was inevitable he wasn't going to hold back given his old side's difficult start to the season.The narrative ahead of the game has inevitably focused on the two clubs' contrasting fortunes. Liverpool can go top of the league with a win and look like genuine title contenders. The Red Devils, on the other hand, are 16 points behind their rivals even before kick-off. A fifth league defeat of the season would be a hammer blow for the beleaguered Jose Mourinho and the odds are not in his favour. United haven't won at Anfield in almost three years and they haven't even scored a goal in their last three visits there. That led to the Sky Sports panel discussing a number of issues relating to what is exactly is going on at the club. Neville brought up the issue of Jesse Lingard launching a clothing line earlier this week. On the one hand, he applauded his business sense, but he insisted the timing wasn't ideal ahead of such an important fixture.
Neville had his say first
"I actually like Jesse Lingard so I've got no problem with him, I've got no problem with him launching a clothes range - but before Liverpool?" Neville said.
"Before Liverpool away in the biggest match of the season. Don't launch a clothes brand. Not this week, do it before Fulham.
"I'm not having a go at him for his character because players should actually have other careers, they should do other things.
"But you just see that little thing this week, I thought, not this week. It's Liverpool. Concentrate on Liverpool, no distractions, no disruptions."
Keane was not a happy man
But it was Keane who had the angriest response, which is what you'd expect. As he raged against the ills of modern football, Souness and Neville couldn't help but laugh.
Take a look at the clip below:
"If there was a good strong dressing room, that wouldn't be tolerated - that's why I worry about the United dressing room," Keane fumed.
"That wouldn't be tolerated in a good dressing room, for a young player who's still learning his trade.
"And again, he could be the nicest kid in the world, I don't know the lad. But if you're coming out with all that nonsense...And people say, 'You should have other stuff outside of football'. I don't think you should.
"I think football should be your number one priority, it should be.
"Focus on the game, don't hide behind your cars or your tattoos, or your girlfriends or your agents. Play the game, then you can do all that stuff when you retire."
Lingard, consider yourself told. The England international will have to hope he puts in a performance to silence them later this afternoon.
Do you agree with Keane's comments on Lingard? Have your say in the comments.