If you were to look forward during the peak of Roy Keane's playing career, you probably wouldn't have anticipated that the Irishman would have such a fractured relationship with Manchester United after he hung up his boots. After all, he was the club captain and one of the driving forces behind their all-conquering sides in the 90s and early 00s.
Of course, the way in which his time at Old Trafford came to an end ensured that things would never quite be the same after his departure.
Roy Keane has still not spoken to Alex Ferguson after the two clashed over the player's comments on the in-club media channel, an appearance that has now gone down in infamy. Having called out a number of his teammates after a 3-1 loss to Middlesbrough that he missed due to injury, the Cork native would never play for the club again.
The footage in question would never be released to the public.
Rio Ferdinand recalls fiery clash between Roy Keane & Alex Ferguson
Rio Ferdinand was at Manchester United during this period, recalling Alex Ferguson's furious reaction to the comments made by Roy Keane.
Speaking on FIVE, he said that the incident ultimately resulted in the surprise announcement that Keane would never play for the club again.
Sir Alex x Roy Keane leaving Manchester United….pic.twitter.com/i8PReH03DX
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) September 11, 2023
We get beat 3-1 by Middlesbrough, everyone plays rubbish. Roy Keane does the video analysis and destroys the whole team, including me.
Before it goes out, the manager gets wind of it and cancels it going out. He said 'it isn't going out anywhere, that is a disgrace, it can't happen'.
He called a meeting at the training ground and it goes off. Roy has a go back, it kicks off between the coach and Roy again, some mad stuff said.
The next day we go into training, the manager calls a meeting just as we go on the training pitch and says 'just so you know, Roy Keane will never play for this football club again'...
Man was like do not f**k with this guy, do not mess with Sir Alex, this guy is the truth.
This was our captain, a legend of the football club, a phenomenal player, a great guy to have around the place, when the chips are down you know you can look to your right and say 'Roy, where do we go now?'
The manager says 'not on my watch, this ain't happening'. My man is done.
Roy Keane and Alex Ferguson have not spoken since that incident, while the player would also keep his distance from the club in the years that followed.
Keane's appearance in a recent kit launch has hinted that he is beginning to build bridges with some at Old Trafford, but it is clear that he is still bruised from the way his exit materialised all those years ago.
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