”What we said about him really killed his career. I wish I never said that. I have to call him and apologise to him. He almost left Manchester United because of me…”-Roy Keane admits he contacted Man Utd player to personally apologise for ‘crossing the line’ as a pundit.

Roy Keane, a former Manchester United captain and now an outspoken football pundit, recently revealed that he had apologized to a current United player after realizing he had overstepped with his critical remarks. Known for his blunt and often unforgiving style of analysis, Keane hasn’t shied away from criticizing Manchester United, especially as they have struggled in recent seasons. He famously described their 3-0 loss to Liverpool as “shocking.”

One of the players who frequently found himself in Keane’s crosshairs was Harry Maguire, a defender who has had a turbulent time at the club. Maguire’s form had been inconsistent, drawing widespread criticism from both fans and commentators. Despite facing these challenges, including being linked with a potential transfer away from United, Maguire, who is now 31, managed to regain his spot in the team, showing resilience and improvement when fit.

Maguire also faced public derision during international duty, most notably from Scottish fans in a September match last year, where England triumphed 3-1 at Hampden Park. England’s then-manager, Gareth Southgate, publicly defended Maguire, criticizing the ridicule and calling it an “absolute joke.” Southgate was baffled by the harsh treatment Maguire received, saying he had never seen a player treated in such a way.

During Maguire’s rough period, Keane was among those who were particularly severe in their assessments. However, Keane later reflected on his comments and acknowledged that he had gone too far. In an appearance on *The Overlap’s Stick to Football* in June, he admitted that his criticism of Maguire became too personal and that he felt compelled to make amends.

Keane explained, “I was harsh on Harry Maguire, especially regarding his performances at Manchester United. He was having a tough time both at the club and occasionally with England. But my comments, particularly about his club performances, crossed a line. I mocked him, and that wasn’t right.”

Keane went on to say that he realized his mistake after considering the potential impact of his harsh words, especially in light of growing discussions around the mental health of players. After bumping into Maguire, he took the opportunity to personally apologize. Keane reflected on the situation by admitting, “As pundits, we’re going to get it wrong sometimes. But once it starts to feel personal, that’s when you’ve crossed the line.”

He then compared this incident to his own experiences of being in the public spotlight, sharing how the intense media scrutiny during difficult moments of his career—such as his controversial exit from the World Cup in 2002 and his departure from Manchester United—affected not just him but his family, particularly his parents. “Those events definitely made my parents ill,” Keane shared, underlining the lasting emotional toll that media criticism can have on players and their loved ones.

Reflecting on his role as a pundit, Keane acknowledged the responsibility commentators have to focus on the game itself without making attacks feel personal. “It’s crucial to keep it about the football,” he said. “As pundits, we have a duty to critique, but once it becomes more than that, we’ve lost sight of our job.” He emphasized that maintaining this balance is key, not just for the sake of the players, but for the integrity of sports analysis as a whole.