Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane once revealed exactly how much he earned when he joined the club and even opened up about turning down an offer from another top side.
Keane, 53, joined Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United from Nottingham Forest in 1993 and had to compete with the likes of Paul Ince and Bryan Robson, who had established a solid partnership in central midfield.
However, Robson, who was nearing the end of his career, struggled with injuries during the 1993-94 season. Keane stepped up and made the position his own.
That season, Keane won his first Premier League title, but his career could’ve taken a different route if he had followed the money.
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Keane famously had a verbal agreement in place with Sir Kenny Dalglish to join Blackburn Rovers. But no contract was signed, and Keane opted to join United instead, despite the former Ireland international claiming that Rovers offered him more money.
“I was about £250,000 (a year) at Forest, which was a good deal, Blackburn offered me £400,000 a year,” Keane said during a talk in Northern Ireland in 2017 [quotes relayed by JOE].
"They [Man Utd] offered me £300,000 thousand a year.
“It was important, because this is the business side of the football, and straight away I learned about Man United was that it is business, as well.
“I’m thinking, it’s not a massive rise (from his wage at Forest), especially considering it’s going to be a transfer record. So, they stalled a little bit, and dragged their heels."
The 53-year-old then went on to reveal that United eventually offered £350,000 a year, and agreed to pay Forest £3.75m.
Joining United was the correct decision given the fact that he won seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the UEFA Champions League during his 12-year stay at Old Trafford.
Although he has since admitted that he was "embarrassed" about the situation which occurred between him and Dalglish.
During an episode of The Overlap in 2023, Keane said: "I was lucky to have one or two options. I did shake hands and I said: ‘Listen, I’ll come.’ I think the contract was basically agreed.
“I went back to Ireland and got a phone call from United. The mistake I made was saying I would sign. Obviously I have no regrets about signing for United.”
He added: “Everyone thinks Kenny is a really nice guy. He phoned me and obviously word got out that I wasn’t going to Blackburn.
“He said: ‘Listen, I’m not happy. You shook hands. I said 'sorry Kenny and blah, blah, blah. Listen I’m going on my holiday tomorrow'. I was going to Ayia Napa.
“I swear he said: ‘I’m going to find you over there.’ Honestly, for the next two weeks, I’m in Ayia Napa and every bar I’m in I’m looking over my shoulder. I’m thinking he’s going to come in and get me!”
Topics: Roy Keane, Manchester United, Premier League, Football, Transfer News, Sir Alex Ferguson, Blackburn Rovers
Luke Davies