The Manchester United hierarchy is under mounting pressure amid discontent among the fans

The double act of David Beckham and Roy Keane has been backed to restore Manchester United to former glory. Frustration over the Glazers' ownership and INEOS' running of the club has reached unprecedented levels following a dismal start to the campaign, with United perilously close to the drop zone.

While the gloom was temporarily lifted by Tuesday's comeback victory over Roma, the Champions League game was briefly halted by in-game protest from supporters, with tennis balls hurled onto the pitch. Amid demands for a change of ownership at Old Trafford, former Premier League striker Djibril Cisse has suggested Beckham as a possible successor to Sir Jim Ratcliffe's group.

The Frenchman believes the United legend's achievements as co-owner of Inter Miami demonstrate he could haul the club out of its current malaise. The ex-Liverpool and Sunderland forward told Mr Gamble: "Could David Beckham replace the Glazers and INEOS at Manchester United? Why not?

"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?"

Should he take charge, Cisse, 45, reckons Beckham should appoint fellow club icon Keane as manager, despite the Sky Sports pundit not having managed in 15 years.

Cisse, who played under Keane at Sunderland, added: "It would be another club legend coming back. If it were him 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.

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"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. We're quite similar. We're honest, we say things straight, and once it's said, we move on. We're all in.

"When I do something, I do it properly. When I say something, I mean it. He's like that too, and I really, really enjoyed my time with him."

Beckham in a potential ownership capacity appears more probable than Keane making a comeback to Old Trafford as manager. The Irishman hasn't completely ruled out returning to the dugout one day, but says it is unlikely.