Some of the very best players who represent Manchester United have turned to football punditry after calling time on their playing careers. Gary Neville captained the Red Devils for the majority of his Old Trafford spell but has perhaps become more famous for his coverage with Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports.
The issue these individuals have is trying to be unbiased, but some are overstepping the mark. Clear agendas and even personal issues are causing them to forget their legacy at the Theatre of Dreams.
Paul Scholes ignited a hailstorm when he dropped a social media post mocking United interim coach Michael Carrick. His comments didn’t sit well with fans who feel there’s animosity between the former midfield duo.
With that said, ReadManUtd have assessed and ranked a list of Red Devils heroes who are now working in punditry. The main factor is how they treat their former playing club, but analytical ability and entertainment value are also taken into account
9 – Paul Scholes
Many believe Paul Scholes is the greatest midfielder to ever pull on a Manchester United shirt. He was a quiet but unbelievably gifted playmaker in Sir Alex Ferguson’s dominant side.
Scholes started his punditry career with TNT Sports, and it was hard to ignore the mundane tone. He said it as it was, especially when covering United games, but his opinions failed to resonate because of his lack of energy.
It feels like Scholes is now dropping bombshell statements to try to stay relevant. His comments on Carrick were bizarre and felt malicious.
The Englishman also appears on podcasts and launches scathing attacks on United players and the coaching staff. His dig at Lisandro Martinez’s size is just one example of why he is the worst on this list.
8 – Dion Dublin
Dion Dublin didn’t spend too long at Old Trafford, but he shows affection towards the Reds when covering games on the BBC. He would be higher on this list if not for his uninspiring commentary, which very rarely makes headlines with his analysis.
The former English striker certainly knows a thing or two about the game and tries to weigh up arguments in a fair manner. But he doesn’t stand out, and some might not even regard him as a United pundit.
Dublin is a nice character and seems friendly, but having a bit of bite is needed to get viewers invested. He, unfortunately, is rather forgettable when it comes to those voicing their opinions on the Red Devils.
7 – Roy Keane
It’s difficult to assess Roy Keane because he insists he isn’t a United supporter and therefore has no problem calling out the club’s post-Ferguson struggles. But the Irishman feels bitter whenever criticising the Reds, and he even admitted he crossed the line when ridiculing Harry Maguire.
Keane is a must-watch for supporters who want to hear the squad and the higher-ups put on blast. But he uses his lack of bond with the club to clip farm, such as playing down Benjamin Sesko’s strike against West Ham United.
The club’s legendary former skipper is box office whenever the club loses. His punditry style includes a hilarious roll of the eyes, scoffing when naming underperforming players, and a slow shake of the head.
6 – Patrice Evra
If this list were judging pundits solely on comedy, then Patrice Evra would take top spot. The former United left-back often has his colleagues and the audience in tears of laughter with his carny comments.
Evra talks a good game when serious and is usually an important voice when his former club is in turmoil. He often speaks from a player’s perspective, defending them and reminding his ex-teammates that they once represented the club and know the pressure it brings.
The Frenchman isn’t a permanent fixture on Sky Sports, probably because the broadcaster fears what he might say. He has gone to bat for Carrick in the aftermath of Scholes’ social media post, highlighting his failure as a manager with Oldham Athletic.
5 – Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand loves United, and you can feel his passion for the club whenever he speaks. The former TNT Sports pundit struggled to hide his bias during his time with the broadcaster, famously demanding Ole Gunnar Solskjaer be handed a permanent contract.
The Englishman has worked with MUTV since leaving TNT. That’s a wise move, given that rival fans were outraged by his coverage of the Red Devils.
Ferdinand also speaks honestly and can come up with some witty one-liners. His YouTube channel has taken off, and he gives supporters a real insight into how a legend who still loves the club feels about the current situation.
4 – Gary Neville
Someone seems to have told Gary Neville to curb his enthusiasm over United because he’s suddenly become extremely pessimistic. Even when his former club went seven games unbeaten under Carrick, it didn’t feel like he was that impressed or wanted his ex-teammate to succeed.
Neville was once the most intriguing voice in football, but he has been way too negative in recent times. He arguably has the largest reach of anyone on this list, and as such, when he’s downplaying Carrick for the job, it is a doubt that creeps into the fanbase.
There are some hilarious moments that get a laugh out of the Old Trafford faithful, such as his back-and-forths with Jamie Carragher. But he has been hypocritical in recent times, judging Sesko’s early months as a United player despite previously suggesting new signings need time to adjust to the Premier League.
3 – Peter Schmeichel
Not many UK fans will get to listen to Peter Schmeichel because the iconic former goalkeeper works for CBS Sports. The American broadcaster is extremely popular, though, and that often means their clips surface on YouTube and X.
Schmeichel backs up his points with statistics and assesses situations by drawing on his own player experiences. The Dane can be playful but also brutal when finding fault with a United player’s performance.
An example of him showing his allegiance to the Reds was his support for Rasmus Hojlund during the striker’s struggles. He defended the young frontman, albeit unsuccessfully, given his departure last summer.
2 – Owen Hargreaves
Owen Hargreaves made only 27 appearances for United, yet he speaks more like a club hero than Scholes, Neville and Keane. The former midfielder does so from a neutral standpoint, and when he criticises the Reds, he still acknowledges various factors.
The TNT Sports pundit is a good listen when focusing solely on a player, and his recent assessment of Bruno Fernandes was enlightening. He explained that the Portuguese playmaker is thriving in a team that pales in comparison with the star-studded squads of past eras:
“Everybody was probably the best in the world in their position, and Bruno hasn’t had that; the one shining light has been him.”
Hargreaves could very well take the Scholes route and go scorched earth, given he’s even played for rivals Manchester City. That’s not his style; he’s more interested in finding a positive solution for an out-of-form player or an under-pressure manager.
1 – Wayne Rooney
When Wayne Rooney started making punditry appearances, some United fans may have felt he might not be cut out for the job. He wasn’t exactly the greatest talker during his legendary playing career at the Theatre of Dreams.
Rooney has proven to be a massive success on the analyst’s table, not overly showing his Red colours. He will speak honestly, for example, by questioning Ruben Amorim’s system and the club’s ownership.
The club’s all-time top goalscorer knows how to be fair, and he uses his experience of leading the line to critique the current crop. His support of Carrick is much-needed, given his former teammate has taken on such a difficult role and doesn’t need pelters when the going gets tough.
Rooney then puts on his United shirt when speaking on his own podcast. It feels like you’re listening to a casual fan when he jokes and goes into depth about positives and negatives.
