sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Manchester United's 'Unspoken' Training Rule Governed By Roy Keane Explains Their Massive Success

Home> Football

Published 15:02 7 May 2022 GMT+1

Manchester United's 'Unspoken' Training Rule Governed By Roy Keane Explains Their Massive Success

“You saw Gary and Phil Neville doing it, Cristiano [Ronaldo], Roy Keane, all these guys were doing it..."

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Manchester United had an 'unspoken' training rule under Sir Alex Ferguson and captain Roy Keane helped govern it.

United were one of the best teams in the world under Ferguson and for a big chunk of those glory years, Keane was Red Devils skipper.

Quinton Fortune joined in 1999 when United had just won the treble and standards were still incredibly high.

Advert

He told Ladbrokes at the launch of their 5-A-Side Bet on Brighton vs United that players would get to training two hours before it started.

Fortune explained per Daily Star: "He [Keane] set the standards every single day in training. He had so much influence in the team, and if you dropped your standards, you would hear from him. He wasn't just keeping an eye on whose standards were dropping, though, he was setting them himself.

Image
Alamy

"He could talk the talk and walk the walk; he was just relentless every day. I wish people could see how much this guy trained; he was unbelievable."

Fortune would remain at Old Trafford until 2006 meaning he saw the exit of United's treble winners and the arrivals of the next generation, most notably Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Did Keane expect less from the youngsters, let them slack off? Absolutely not.

They quickly caught on to the rule and would regularly turn up when the seasoned pros did.

Fortune continued: "It was just an unspoken rule; you just picked it up from day one. You needed to be on your toes every day in training, because if you weren't someone else would take your place. It was as simple as that.

Image
Alamy

"If training started at 10:15am, you'd be thinking 'OK, I need to be in at 9, maybe even 8am'. You'd get in early, have your breakfast, do your stretches, be out on the pitch at 10am, ready for training.

"You saw Gary and Phil Neville doing it, Cristiano [Ronaldo], Roy Keane, all these guys were doing it, so new players would just pick it up naturally.

"We would treat every training session like it was our last, and that became a habit for everyone at the club. You came in and just thought 'is this normal?' but match day would come around and it would be easy."

Image
Alamy

Keane left United in November 2005 after an explosive falling out with Ferguson and their relationship never recovered.

The Irishman was often Ferguson's voice on the pitch but their similarities meant they clashed off it.

Fortune departed for Bolton Wanderers the following year.

United are currently sixth in the Premier League table and are likely miss out on Champions League football next season.

Erik ten Hag will become their new permanent manager in the summer and he'll be tasked with helping to rebuild the squad.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Roy Keane, Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Premier League

Daniel Marland
Daniel Marland

Daniel is SPORTbible's Senior Social Editor.

X

@DanMarland_

Recommended reads

Dennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

8 mins ago
an hour ago
3 hours ago
  • Getty
    8 mins ago

    FIFA make decision on kicking Iran out of the World Cup for Italy

    FIFA have confirmed its stance following on from Donald Trump's special envoy Paolo Zampolli suggesting Italy replace Iran.

    Football
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    Chelsea player gave Liam Rosenior brutal nickname that sums up his tenure

    The Chelsea squad's honest thoughts and feelings on Liam Rosenior have emerged following his Stamford Bridge dismissal.

    Football
  • Denis Doyle/Getty Images/RM4 Arab
    an hour ago

    Vini Jr barges past president in clearest sign yet that he'll leave Real Madrid

    The Brazilian didn't look happy during the awkward interaction.

    Football
  • Getty
    3 hours ago

    Liam Rosenior tipped to make instant return to Premier League after Chelsea sacking

    The Englishman was relieved of his duties as Chelsea boss on Wednesday.

    Football
  • Roy Keane Fired Brutal Dig at Sir Alex Ferguson’s Family As Feud Turned Ugly
  • Roy Keane snubbed Sir Alex Ferguson when naming the greatest coach he ever played under
  • Jamie Carragher snubs Roy Keane as his number one Premier League midfielder live on air
  • Sir Alex Ferguson Made Unprecedented Move When Naming “Top-Class” Roy Keane Heir