Cisse backs Beckham to replace Ineos and install Keane as Manchester United manager

Djibril Cisse has thrown his weight behind David Beckham as a potential ownership successor to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group at Manchester United, and urged the former England captain to bring Roy Keane back to Old Trafford as manager.

The calls come amid mounting discontent over both the Glazers’ long-term stewardship and Ineos’ running of the club, with United sitting just above the Premier League relegation zone after a wretched start to the season. A comeback win over Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday offered brief respite, though the match was interrupted by an in-game fan protest, with tennis balls thrown onto the pitch.

Cisse, 45, told Mr Gamble that Beckham’s co-ownership of Inter Miami demonstrated he has the credentials to revive United. “He’s doing a good job at Inter Miami. He has an aura, he has a name, he’s David Beckham, and he carries real weight in world football. So yes, why not?” the former France international said.

The ex-Liverpool and Sunderland striker went further, arguing that Beckham should pair any ownership role with the appointment of Keane in the dugout — despite the Irishman not having managed a club in 15 years. “It would be another club legend coming back. If it were him and Roy Keane, that would be amazing,” Cisse added.

Cisse played under Keane during his time at Sunderland and spoke warmly of the experience. “Keane has the weight of experience and history. He is a strong personality and he’s an icon of the club. He wore the armband for so many years during United’s glory days, so bringing him back would be a really good thing.”

He also praised Keane’s man-management, saying the former United captain judged him on his own merits rather than reputation. “He trusted me, it worked very well, and I was very disappointed when he left. He’s a coach I loved working with and whom I respect enormously.”

A return to management for Keane appears unlikely, however. The Sky Sports pundit has acknowledged the “pilot light is still on” but has said a comeback to the dugout is improbable. Beckham in an ownership capacity is considered the more realistic of the two scenarios floated by Cisse.