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26th Nov 2015

Roy Keane tears into Wayne Rooney and his appearance at a WWE event earlier this month

"Why is he getting involved in all that nonsense?"

Darragh Murphy

It’s safe to say that very few people could imagine Roy Keane ever taking part in a professional wrestling storyline.

During ITV’s coverage of Manchester United’s drab 0-0 home draw with PSV Eindhoven, their former captain, Roy Keane, tore strips out of former teammate Wayne Rooney for recently slapping WWE superstar Wade Barrett at a wrestling event in Manchester and has claimed that players’ off-field activities often speak volumes of their mindsets.

Everton v Manchester United - Premier League

Keane said: “I always question certain players – what are they doing off the field? I saw Wayne last week slapping a wrestler and I’m thinking ‘why is he getting involved in all that nonsense?’

“There’s no benefit to him so I think I would look at that side to it…

“It’s not helping him. If you’re not at it yourself you have to have a look and lead by example. He didn’t do that tonight.”

Keane reckoned that Rooney’s appearance at the event showed that his focus wasn’t on captaining Manchester United and he must remedy that if he is to improve on performances like the abject one put in at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

“Mentally he doesn’t look sharp,”Keane added. “Physically he doesn’t look in a great shape. He has to have a look at himself.

“Wayne was on about lack of composure and quality, and he was as guilty as anybody. He needs to step up to the plate.

“Wayne’s legacy at Manchester United is absolutely fantastic. His goals record is brilliant, but now he’s the captain there’s a bit more responsibility and he has to do a lot more.”