Roy Keane wanted to retire at Man Utd after encounter with opponent made him 'lose his temper'

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has admitted that he once contemplated early retirement in 2001 after a "ridiculous" moment left him questioning if he was still able to play at the top level.

Keane, 53, is widely viewed as one of the greatest players in United's long history, having played a key role in the club's success under Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Irishman captained United for eight years from 1997 to his departure from the club in 2005.

He later joined Celtic for one season before finally calling it a day in 2006, later becoming a manager and TV pundit.

The former midfielder has admitted he once came close to hanging up his boots five years prior to his official retirement after a fiery game against Newcastle United.

The match at St James' Park, which ended in a 4-3 win for the home side, is remembered most for a flashpoint between Keane and Newcastle talisman Alan Shearer towards the end of the game.

In the final minutes of normal time, Keane threw the ball at Shearer after going to take a throw-in – prompting the Magpies striker to push him in response.

Keane spectacularly lost his temper and went to throw a punch at Shearer, resulting in the yellow card he was about to be shown being upgraded to a red.

Speaking in 2021, Keane said the decision by referee Steve Bennett to send him off left him furious.

"I lost my temper, we were losing 4-3, I think, in the last minute," Keane said, via talkSPORT.

"If you're going to get sent off, the worst thing is, I pushed him. If you're going to get sent off you might as well punch him properly because you're going to get the same punishment.

"You might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb. That's what I was thinking afterwards. It was just a push. It was ridiculous."

Keane clashed with Shearer near the end of the game (Image: Getty)

Keane said he feared he was finished at the top level in the wake of the sending off, and even told his manager Ferguson he could retire.

"I was fed up and annoyed with myself. Especially after the match. The gaffer never really had a go at me. I knew from his body language – 'how much more, Roy?'," he added.

"I saw him the next day and I said 'I've had enough' – and I meant it.

"I came back that night and I waited, didn't sleep a wink. I spoke to Theresa [Keane's wife] when I got back and she said 'you're mad' and I said 'I know that but…'

"I never trained the Monday, or the Sunday, and he came round on the Monday in afternoon, and we had a good chat.

"He said 'you'll miss it' and I was convinced I wouldn't but I suppose deep, deep, very deep down of course I knew I would miss walking out at Old Trafford.

"I loved playing at Old Trafford and I loved playing for United. Full stop."

In the end, Keane would decide to stay and went on to make 475 appearances for United, scoring 51 times – becoming one of the most decorated captains in the club's history with seven Premier League titles.