Jason McAteer could probably write his own book on Roy Keane at this stage, such are the wealth of insights gleaned over the course of their international career together.
He was interviewed for Simon Hughes book 'Men in white suits: Liverpool FC in the 1990s' and amid all the tales from the Roy Evans era, there are interesting and new insights into Keane.
In addition to raking over the Saipan ground again, McAteer relayed a conversation with former Manchester United assistant (and player) Mike Phelan. The account of the conversation adds to our understanding of the dynamic at Old Trafford in the lead-up to Keane's banishment.
He told me that with Fergie, if he watched a game and a player lost the ball and then found it really difficult to get back into position, Fergie would turn round and go, ‘He’s finished, lost his engine.’ He’d then try to get the player out of the club.
With Roy, Roy was forever telling him it was a one-off — he’d had a bad night’s sleep and he was tired for that game. Fergie gave Roy more chances than other players. But once the seed was planted, Fergie would never change his mind.
[Examiner]
