Roy Keane makes poppy decision after Joey Barton's angry message

Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane sported his poppy once again on Sky Sports on Sunday for 1-1 Premier League draw at Old Trafford.

TV hosts and guests traditionally wear the poppy as a symbol of respect for fallen soldiers. Last weekend, Keane adhered to the tradition for Sky Sports coverage of 2-2 draw with Liverpool last weekend.

However, former Premier League midfielder Joey Barton questioned the decision on social media. He wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "Why has Roy Keane got a poppy on?"

This question comes against a backdrop of previous controversies surrounding the poppy, notably involving James McClean. Keane, undeterred by the debate, wore his poppy again for Sunday's broadcast.

In the wake of Erik Ten Hag's departure, Keane didn't hold back on Sky Sports, sharing his thoughts on the situation at Old Trafford: "Disappointed, you always are [after a manager's sacked]," he commented. He acknowledged the challenge ahead for the incoming manager, saying: "It's a new start, new manager coming in in a couple of weeks. You always wish him well."

Keane highlighted the enormity of the task at hand, adding: "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."

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Keane also spared a thought for Ten Hag, expressing empathy for the former boss: "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.", reports.

He further outlined the challenges facing the incoming manager: "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."