Rio Ferdinand Claims Roy Keane 'Killed' Player's Career At Man United And Could Have 'Flourished' Without Irishman's Presence

Rio Ferdinand claimed that Roy Keane might have “killed” off Juan Sebastian Veron’s career at Manchester United due to his “dominant personality” and style of play.

Veron became the most expensive player in British football history in 2001 after United splashed out a £28.1m fee to secure him from Lazio.

The 46-year-old Argentine midfielder failed to live up to the hefty price tag and high expectations, with Veron’s ill-fated spell ending at United after two seasons.

Veron was shipped off to Chelsea in a £15m deal in 2003, but he only managed 14 appearances for the Blues and spent loan spells at Inter Milan and Estudiantes.

Legendary former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had once described the ex-Argentina international as “world class” and a “marvellous” player.

PA

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According to The Daily Mail, Ferdinand suggested that former club teammate Veron “might have flourished in a Man United shirt” if Keane had not been there.

“He [Veron] was an unbelievable player, great passer,” he said.

“The only thing I think that killed him was Roy Keane was probably a bit more of a dominant personality and was picking the ball up in his positions.

PA

“You have to remember Veron came from Lazio, Parma where he was the main man, the whole game went through him. He came to United, that's what Roy Keane did.

“Keane came and got it off the defenders, passed it through to the midfielders and attackers, and got in positions and was very vocal, like ‘Yeah, give me the ball! Give me the ball!’

“And out of respect probably Seba just said, ‘I'll let Roy keep doing that.’ But Seba was an amazing talent.

“I honestly think without Roy Keane there he might have flourished in a Man United shirt. I think Roy Keane was his problem.

PA

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“And it wasn't Roy Keane's fault, it's just that his personality was bigger and more overpowering.”

Veron left England in 2007 and signed for Argentine side Estudiantes on a permeant transfer.

The United flop, who is now chairman of Estudiantes, also played for Argentina side Brandsen before permanently retiring from football in 2017.

Topics: Roy Keane, Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United, Premier League, England, Football

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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