sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Roy Keane Reignites Feud With Sir Alex Ferguson In Brutal On Stage Interview

Roy Keane Reignites Feud With Sir Alex Ferguson In Brutal On Stage Interview

"People talk about Ferguson’s man-management. Nonsense."

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has hit out at Sir Alex Ferguson in a scathing interview.

The 48-year-old mentioned his former manager on a number of occasions, stating he "will not forgive" Ferguson for his involvement in the final days of his Old Trafford career, when he openly criticised a number of players in the infamous MUTV interview.

"I wouldn't forgive Ferguson. The media spin, how I apparently upset everybody, it was all nonsense," Keane told Off The Ball.

"I don't care if it's Alex Ferguson or the Pope, you're going to defend yourself."

Image: PA
Image: PA

Keane also played down Ferguson's management style in the interview, and threw doubt on whether he had the best interests of the club at heart.

"People talk about Ferguson's man-management. Nonsense." he said.

"People said he always had the best interests of Manchester United at heart. Darren Ferguson [his son] won a medal. He was very lucky."

Image: PA
Image: PA

Ferguson criticised Keane in his autobiography, mentioning the MUTV incident in detail.

"He criticised his team-mates," said Ferguson. "We could not release that video. It ended up with two young players being booed in Paris [against Lille] on the Wednesday.

"The meeting in the room was horrendous. I just could not lose my control in that situation. If I had let it pass I think the players would have viewed me differently.

"Throughout my career I have been strong enough to deal with issues like that. Roy absolutely overstepped the line. There was nothing else we could do."

Image: PA
Image: PA

On 29 October 2005, United were well beaten by Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium, losing 4-1 in a dreadful showing for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, and Keane offered his take on the defeat.

Keane pulled no punches in the "Roy Keane Plays The Pundit" section of the show, and slated Rio Ferdinand for being at fault for the second goal after being dispossessed by Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink.

"I have seen that happen to Rio before," he said.

"It is poor defending. Just because you are paid £120,000 a week and play well for 20 minutes against Tottenham you think you are a superstar."

He also criticised goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar after his blunder allowed Gaizka Mendieta's to open the scoring in the second minute.

"He should have saved that (a 30-yard goal from Gaizka Mendieta). That was saveable."

John O'Shea was next to get some stick, as Keane question his desire. "He's just strolling around when he should have been busting a gut to get back."

Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher was put down by the former Nottingham Forest man, as was Kieran Richardson.

"I can't understand why people in Scotland rave about Darren Fletcher. He [Richardson] is a lazy defender who deserved to get punished.. he wasn't doing his job."

Alan Smith was given a verbal pasting, while Keane also took issue with the young players. "What is he doing there? He is wandering around as if he is lost. He doesn't know what he is doing.

"When they [the young players] sign the contracts, they think they have made it. They owe it to the manager, the staff and the fans. They think they have made it. They haven't."

The experienced players weren't let off the hook, though, with Keane also saying he wasn't surprised by the result.

"The younger players have been let down by some of the more experienced ones - they are not leading. There is a shortage of characters.

"It seems to be in this club you have to play badly to be rewarded. Maybe that is what I should do when I come back - play badly.

"I wasn't surprised by the result, I had been expecting one like this. The players have been asked questions and they are just not coming up with the answers.

"I am sick of having to say it and they are sick of listening to me. They have let down the club, the manager, and the fans."

Image: PA
Image: PA

Keane's last game for United came against Liverpool in September and by the time 18 November rolled around, he had left the club by mutual consent.

He subsequently joined boyhood club Celtic in December, but retired after just 13 appearances at the Scottish giants.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Roy Keane