Roy Keane has been backed for the Manchester United manager's job as pressure continues to mount on Michael Carrick

Roy Keane has spent much of his post-playing career making his feelings known about Manchester United, but a return to the dugout at Old Trafford appears increasingly unlikely. The former United skipper has been mentioned as a potential candidate amid growing uncertainty surrounding Michael Carrick's future.

However, despite his legendary standing at the club and reputation for demanding the highest standards, Keane has given a strong indication that he has little desire to return to management.

United's troubles have continued to deepen, with just one victory from their opening nine Premier League fixtures leaving them languishing in 17th place. A dramatic 3-2 comeback win against Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday finally brought an end to a nine-game winless streak, although it has done little to silence the growing criticism of Carrick.

Sunday's trip to Aston Villa could therefore carry enormous significance. It is United's final game before the international break, during which the hierarchy are expected to consider Carrick's position and whether his time in charge should come to an end.

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A number of prominent managers have been touted as possible replacements, including Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte and Unai Emery. Former Premier League striker Djibril Cisse, however, believes Keane would be an exciting appointment, pointing to his legendary status at Old Trafford, forceful character and longstanding association with the club.

Cisse, who worked under Keane during his spell at Sunderland, told Mr Gamble: "It would be another club legend coming back. If it were him [David Beckham buying out Sir Jim Ratcliffe] and Roy Keane, that would be amazing.

"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.

"I really enjoyed working with him because he didn't judge me on what he'd heard or what people might say about my character. 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."

Keane, though, has now offered a rather different perspective on the possibility of taking charge of a team again. Appearing on the Stick to Football podcast, the former Republic of Ireland assistant suggested he had the qualities to become an excellent manager, but acknowledged that the demands and uncertainty of the profession no longer appeal to him.

After host Gary Neville pointed out Keane 'has lived what Carrick's going through right now', Keane replied: "I feel for them."

"These last few years [of prioritising TV punditry over coaching] … there's no going back now," Keane added. "There's definitely part of me over the last few years that thinks I should still be a manager somewhere. I still feel I could have been a really good manager.

"When you're in that managerial role, you're thinking two or three bad results and you could be out the door... that's a tough rollercoaster. I don't miss being on that rollercoaster, I just have this feeling that I could have been a really good manager."

Keane first stepped into management in 2006, shortly after bringing his illustrious playing career to a close, when he was appointed Sunderland boss. His impact was immediate, leading the Black Cats out of the Championship and into the Premier League during his debut campaign before keeping them in the division the following season.

His time on Wearside ultimately came to an end during his third campaign, with Sunderland struggling towards the foot of the table. Keane subsequently took over at Ipswich Town, but his second managerial spell proved relatively short-lived, with the Irishman lasting under two years without delivering the promotion to the Premier League the club had hoped for.

He gradually moved towards coaching roles rather than taking on the responsibility of being a manager, serving as assistant with the Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest alongside Martin O'Neill. Away from the training ground, meanwhile, Keane was beginning to establish himself as a major television personality.

After initially becoming a familiar face on ITV, he made the move to Sky Sports, where his reputation as one of football's most compelling pundits has continued to grow. His uncompromising verdicts, savage one-liners and famously dry humour have made him a hugely popular presence on screen, although his willingness to deliver brutally honest assessments has inevitably divided opinion.