Qudus SalihuIn a stunning live television moment that has since dominated social media feeds, Manchester United legends Paul Scholes and Roy Keane were involved in a heated on-air confrontation regarding their predictions for the high-stakes Leeds United vs. Sunderland clash. The exchange, which took place during a Premier League preview show, saw the usually reserved Scholes “completely lose it” after Keane dismissed Leeds’ tactical setup under their current regime. The fire was ignited when Keane, never one to mince words, labeled Leeds’ recent performances “soft” and predicted a comfortable win for Sunderland. Keane, who famously managed Sunderland to a Championship title in 2007, was accused by Scholes of “blatant bias” toward his former club. Scholes, visibly fuming, snapped back, “You’re talking absolute nonsense, Roy. You’re looking at the badge, not the football. Leeds are miles ahead in terms of creativity.”
As the debate intensified, Scholes leaned forward, his voice rising in a rare display of public anger. “I’ve sat here and listened to you slaughter teams for years, but to say Sunderland are favorites at Elland Road is a joke,” Scholes argued. Keane, smirk firmly in place, retorted by questioning Scholes’ own objectivity, suggesting he was only backing Leeds to be “contrary.” The exchange became so tense that the presenter was forced to intervene as Scholes muttered, “I don’t know why I bother,” while tossing his notes onto the desk.
Within minutes, the clip of Scholes “losing his cool” went viral, with supporters from both camps weighing in. Leeds fans praised the “Ginger Genius” for defending their style of play, while the Sunderland faithful rallied behind Keane’s “hard truths.” Scholes ultimately backed a 3-1 Leeds victory, citing their home dominance, while Keane stuck to a gritty 1-0 Sunderland win, emphasizing character over flair. The fallout from this “Battle of the Pundits” has added a layer of immense drama to the fixture, proving that even years after retiring, the competitive fire between these two icons remains as fierce as ever.
Mustapha Sheidu
Qudus Salihu
Rabiu Aminu
