24 years ago today, Roy Keane completely mugged off Ronaldo Nazario and Diego Simeone

24 years ago today, Roy Keane proved that he is the most no-nonsense man in all of football.

On 17 March 1999, Keane captained Manchester United against Inter Milan at the San Siro in a Champions League quarter-final.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side were leading 2-0 from the first leg at Old Trafford, where a Dwight Yorke brace saw off the Nerazzurri.

And in the second fixture, United picked up a 1-1 draw - with Paul Scholes scoring late on after Nicola Ventola put the hosts 1-0 up.

But it was antics prior to the game which continue to be talked about till this day. Both sides did the customary pre-match handshake and lined up in unison.

United players made their way down the opposition and shook hands with Inter's stars. 1997 Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo Nazario and Diego Simeone were two of the stars waiting in line.

But as United skipper Keane approached, the pair were both messing with their socks. And Keane was not waiting for anybody, no matter how big a name they may be.

He promptly walked past the duo, completely ignoring them after they were too busy beforehand. It is the most Roy Keane thing ever and sums him up as both a player and a person.

It is a hugely iconic moment and yet in the next round Keane delivered perhaps his greatest ever performance when United came from 2-0 down to beat Juventus 3-2 in the Champions League semi-final second leg.

Keane picked up a yellow card that ruled him out of the final but he gave everything to ensure his team got there and scored the first goal to start the comeback.

Ferguson wrote about the performance in his book, describing it as "the most emphatic display of selflessness I have seen on a football field and that it was "an hour to be associated with such a player".

Keane didn't like the compliment one bit though and lived up to his "do your job" mantra.

"Stuff like that almost insults me," he hit back.

"I get offended when people give quotes like that about me. It's like praising the postman for delivering letters."

Featured Image Credit: Twitter

Topics: Roy Keane, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Ronaldo Nazario, Diego Simeone

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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