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Rio Ferdinand Recalls Story Of Roy Keane Punching Manchester United Teammate In Training

Rio Ferdinand Recalls Story Of Roy Keane Punching Manchester United Teammate In Training

Roy Keane was not messing about and lashed out in a reserve team session.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Roy Keane once punched a Manchester United teammate in training, Rio Ferdinand has recalled.

The Irishman was known for being a hothead and received seven red cards in 366 Premier League appearances.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Keane had an aggressive approach on the pitch but also on the training ground, as evident in this new tale from Ferdinand.

The former United and England man revealed that Keane lashed out at youngster Chris Eagles after he overexerted himself in a reserve team session.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Having been on the receiving end of a few niggly tackles and a shirt-pull, the skipper had enough.

"I remember when Roy Keane punched up Chris Eagles one time," Ferdinand said on the VIBE with FIVE podcast.

"He (Eagles) was only [a] young kid, (taking) liberties. It was good for him, Eagles.

"Roy must have been coming back from an injury, or he didn't play, and he was playing with the reserves and the youngsters that were in there like Eagles and Lee Martin were like rats, getting in close and trying to tackle.

"He went in late on Roy once or twice and Roy said to him, "Listen, slow down". The ball comes in again, Eagles was trying to impress, trying to leave him mark and left a little bit on Roy again and pulled his jersey.

"Roy just turned round and went bang in the jaw. A quick short jab and I just stood there and went, 'Roy, what's wrong with you?'.

"And I went inside and said, 'Roy, why are you doing that for? He's a young kid man. And I warned him.'"

Eagles played 17 times for United and later turned out for the likes of Burnley, Bolton Wanderers and Oldham Athletic.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Keane, interestingly, was was said to be an unbeaten box as a schoolboy back in his hometown of Cork.

He regularly trained with fighters much older than him before electing to play football - going on to win seven Premier League titles.

In regards to his love of boxing, Keane is quoted as saying: "Boxing is the best sport in the world. It's man against man.

"You are on your own. There's only one person going to come out that ring a winner. I supposed I applied that to football."

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Topics: Football, Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane