Roy Keane details moment he was told he'd be leaving Man Utd and the 'issue' he had with it

Roy Keane had detailed the moments before his infamous Manchester United departure and why he took "issue" with a meeting organised by Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill.

The 52-year-old, who made 480 appearances for United during a trophy-laden 12-year spell, has previously suggested he will never forgive Ferguson for the part he played in his Old Trafford exit.

In fact, back in 2019, the former Republic of Ireland international admitted to having "no interest" in talking to his former manager until he apologised.

“As much as I’m not one to hold a grudge, I wouldn’t forgive Ferguson,” he told the Off the Ball Podcast. "The media spin, how I apparently upset everybody, it was all nonsense.

“I don’t care if it’s Alex Ferguson or the Pope, you’re going to defend yourself. I think when he apologises I will probably say hello to him, yeah. But I’ve no interest in speaking to the man.”

Keane has mentioned his rift with Ferguson on numerous occasions in the past – which stemmed from 'that' MUTV rant following United's 4-1 defeat against Middlesbrough.

and on the latest episode of Stick to Football – a podcast brought to you by Sky Bet – the former United captain provided some further details.

On the topic of club's dismissing players, he said: "I generally have no problem when a club tells a player [to leave the club] – it's the game we're in," he said.

"For you [Ian Wright], they sat you down and had a chat - to me, at least, that's kind of respectful.

"I'm getting called into a meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill, and before I sat down, they'd already prepared a statement. This is my issue – they already prepared a statement, and they had the years wrong."

Keane would go on to reveal that he held talks with a number of teams after his Manchester United exit, including Bolton and Everton.

He added: "Everton would have been a good move at the time - the location, and I had huge respect for David Moyes - but I felt I couldn't go to another English team."

Image credit: Getty

Keane would go on to join Scottish Premiership side Celtic in 2005, and would announce hire retirement from professional football a year later on medical advice.