Roy Keane put on spot as he responds to Sunderland manager links on live TV

Roy Keane was tight-lipped after being put on the spot to discuss his links with the Sunderland job on live television.

The Manchester United legend has been heavily linked with taking the vacant managerial position at the Stadium of Light, having achieved promotion with the Blackcats in 2007.

Keane was a pundit for United's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Middlesbrough on Friday and ITV presenter Mark Pougatch kicked off the show by asking the Irishman about the recent negotiations.

"I've got no control over that, no comment," Keane stated. "I've made [it] clear, I'd like to get back as a manager.

"But the club has to want you, you've got to want that job, the contract has to be right. We'll see how things take shape over the next couple of days."

The 50-year-old was reportedly interviewed by a Sunderland delegation in Manchester, with the north-east side having sacked Lee Johnson in the wake of last Saturday's 6-0 loss away to Bolton Wanderers.

The Blackcats are third in the League One table, occupying the top play-off position and only five points adrift of leaders Rotherham with a game in hand on the Yorkshire side.

But Sunderland now want Keane to guide them to automatic promotion, as he did 15 years ago on Wearside.

But the Republic of Ireland icon has been out of the dugout since being sacked by Ipswich Town in 2011.

Keane then worked for Ireland, Aston Villa and ex-club Nottingham Forest as an assistant, all while maintaining his desire to get back into management.

"I've got good memories from Sunderland, a really good club," Keane told Sky Sports. "It's a pity that ended the way it did in terms of me having a big disagreement with the owner, but I had good days at Sunderland, a really good club."