Roy Keane won't be exposed to hostility while on pundit duty
A 43-year-old Arsenal fan was convicted of headbutting Keane at a match at the Emirates Stadium in 2023, while the former Manchester United midfielder clashed with Ipswich supporters at Portman Road last season.
Advertisement
But Keane, 54, has renewed his contract as a pundit with the broadcaster and will be at Old Trafford for United's opening game of the season against Arsenal on Sunday.
Sky's chief sports officer Jonathan Licht said: 'It's our responsibility to make sure we don't expose any of our team to those sorts of incidents.
'He loves being part of the big games and we hope that will continue long into this deal.
'Keane will once again form part of Sky's Premier League coverage this season along with the likes of Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards.'
'Roy is a great guy, you want him on your team,' added Gary Hughes, director of football at Sky Sports.
'He's had a few incidents in the last couple of seasons, with Arsenal and Ipswich, and it does affect him.
'But ultimately he wants to be involved in the biggest games. He wants to be at Old Trafford for Manchester United against Arsenal.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


RTÉ News
41 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Ruben Amorim backs Benjamin Sesko to star long-term for United
Ruben Amorim says new signing Benjamin Sesko is ready to start Sunday's Premier League opener against Arsenal and backed the striker to star for Manchester United for years to come. Just three months on from the end of the Red Devils' worst top-flight season since 1974, there is a sense of optimism heading into the new season thanks in no small part to some exciting acquisitions. Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Diego Leon's arrivals brought hope and were complemented by the signing of talented 22-year-old striker Sesko from RB Leipzig in a deal worth up to £73.7million (€86m) last Saturday. The Slovenia international was presented on the pitch later that day ahead of the pre-season friendly against Fiorentina at Old Trafford, where he could line up against Arsenal on Sunday. "I think he has great potential in everything he does," head coach Amorim said. "He can play different types of football, he is going to feel that Premier League is really aggressive. "He is going to learn but he has a great potential and I can see Ben being a striker for Manchester United for a lot of years. "That's why we paid so much money to have a striker that will have his history in our club." Asked whether Sesko is able to start against Arsenal, the United boss said: "Of course. We didn't have a lot of time but he's ready. "First of all, physically, he's ready. That is a big component in our league. Then, he's really smart. Every detail that he asks, he's a guy that is always thinking. "He spends all afternoon here working on his fitness, so he's ready to play. We will see if he's going to start." Sesko scored 21 goals in all competitions last term and has made a good first impression on meticulous Amorim at United's new-look Carrington training complex. "He's one guy who stays here, has lunch, and goes to the medical department, does the stretching," he said. "He is always thinking about football. "He's really obsessed about that and that is a good thing because you don't have to think about that aspect with that young guy. "I don't need to tell Ben, 'Ben, this is Manchester United, a lot of pressure, you have to perform, you need to be ready for the physicality, we need to be ready, every game is like do or die'. "With that guy, I don't have that concern. I have the opposite, enjoy a little bit. "I really like that (he asks questions), especially when it is smart questions so he's listened and he wants to perform so that is very good." "Rasmus is still our player" Sesko's arrival raises fresh questions over the future of another 22-year-old striker, Rasmus Hojlund. The Denmark international has been strongly linked with an exit, just two years on from joining from Atalanta for £64m (€74m) plus a potential £8m in add-ons. Hojlund said on United's pre-season tour that he wants to stay at United and fight for his place, but he was an unused substitute against Fiorentina and links with AC Milan persist. "He is one more option," Amorim said. "We will see. We are focused on this game and Rasmus is still our player." Hojlund's involvement on Sunday will be interesting to see, as will goalkeeper Andre Onana. Another player linked with a summer move, he did not feature in pre-season due to a hamstring injury but is back available to face Arsenal. "Nous (Mazraoui) and Licha (Lisandro Martinez) are out," Amorim added. "They cannot play in this game. Josh (Zirkzee) recovered, Andre (Onana) recovered, they are options for this game. We will see."


The Irish Sun
41 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Aston Villa slapped with hefty fine as Unai Emery's side accept breaching Premier League rules
ASTON VILLA have been slapped with a hefty £125,000 fine after admitting to breaking Premier League rules on the multiball system. The Premier League has confirmed that Villa breached the system, which was introduced two seasons ago to keep games flowing and improve the fan experience. 3 It has already been a very tough summer for Unai Emery who is struggling to bring in new faces 3 Now the club have confessed to bending some rules and now have been fined Credit: Rex Advertisement 3 Villa will hope their recent troubles is softened by hopefully having Rogers for this weekend Credit: Reuters A Premier League statement read: "The Premier League has entered into a sanction agreement with Aston Villa FC after the club accepted it had breached the Premier League's multiball rules. "First introduced in the 2022/23 season, the multiball system is intended to maintain the flow of League matches, reduce delays, and enhance the fan experience." Unai Emery's side accepted that they had violated the rule five times during the 2024/2025 season, which led to them being hit hard by the governing body. Advertisement The multiball rule was introduced with the aim of preventing home clubs from gaining an unfair advantage. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL FEELING BLUE Emotional Chelsea legend Petr Cech splits from wife after 26 years Villa's breach serves as a reminder that all clubs must comply with these important guidelines. In addition to the fine, Villa will also be banned from using the multiball system in their first three home league games of the 2025/26 season – a serious blow to the club's matchday operations. Unai Emery's men will pay the price for their mistakes and their first three home games against Newecastle, Crystal and Fulham will all feel the impact of this punishment. Advertisement Meanwhile, the club is increasingly hopeful that Morgan Rogers will be fit for Saturday's Premier League opener against Newcastle. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK The forward, a contender for the PFA Young Player of the Year award, injured his ankle in a pre-season friendly against Roma on August 6 and did not feature in the preparation games against Marseille and Villarreal. However, Rogers has been involved in training this week and confidence is growing that he will be ready for the clash with Eddie Howe's team at Villa Park. Man Utd make £55m Watkins vs Sesko decision Rogers, 23, was one of the breakout stars of the last Premier League campaign and was linked to Chelsea this summer.

The 42
an hour ago
- The 42
Brighton boss exceedingly confident Carlos Baleba will stay despite Man United interest
BRIGHTON HEAD COACH Fabian Hurzeler is 'very, very, very confident' Carlos Baleba will remain at the club despite being linked with a move to Manchester United. Forward trio Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko have moved to Old Trafford this summer and it seems United are out to reinforce their midfield before the transfer window closes on 1 September. Advertisement It has been reported that Baleba fits the bill for United boss Ruben Amorim, but the Cameroonian, who joined Brighton from Lille in August 2023, still has three years remaining on his contract. Hurzeler was bullish when asked whether Baleba will remain with the Seagulls this season, adding the 21-year-old is enjoying being at the club and has not been distracted by United's reported interest. 'I didn't see any change in Carlos… he only changed his hair.' 😅 @MonsterEnergy 📲 — Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 15, 2025 'Very, very, very confident (he will stay),' Hurzeler told a press conference ahead of Brighton's Premier League curtain-raiser at home to Fulham on Saturday. 'It's just my belief. 'I didn't see any change in him. He only changed his hair, that was the only change he made in the last two weeks! 'But overall, he seems to be in a really good place. He's enjoying it with his team-mates. He's enjoying being a Brighton player. 'He's very grateful to have the progress he made in the last season. I didn't see any big change. He is an option to start for tomorrow.'