Roy Keane Leaves Paul Scholes And Rio Ferdinand Out Of His Greatest Manchester United XI

Roy Keane has left former teammates Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand out of his greatest Manchester United XI from the Premier League era.

Keane, 50, captained United during the most successful period in the club's history, winning seven Premier League titles and the Champions League in 13 trophy-laden seasons at Old Trafford.

Ahead of Monday's Premier League match between United and Brentford, Keane was asked to pick his best United XI from the modern era.

In goal, Keane selected Peter Schmeichel ahead of Edwin van der Sar and David De Gea, despite claiming the fiery Dane "wasn't as good" as everyone thought.

He then picked Dennis Irwin at left-back and Gary Neville at right-back, before naming Jaap Stam and Gary Pallister as his preferred centre-back pairing.

Explaining his decision to pick Pallister over the likes of Ferdinand, Steve Bruce and Nemanja Vidic, Keane said on Sky Sports: "The other one was an issue but I have gone with Gary Pallister. Brucey was a brilliant player but you have to leave someone out.

"Rio was obviously a good athlete and read the game well but my relationship with Pally was pretty good as well.

"Certain lads at United go out of their way to help you. He was obviously a very good player. Always looked exhausted but I would have him in there."

Keane modestly chose to leave himself out of the side, instead selecting former United captain Bryan Robson in central midfield.

"Robson has to go in there. Bryan was a great player for Manchester United, full of courage and scored some big goals for Manchester United when the club was not at its best," added Keane.

Surprisingly, Keane then selected Paul Ince to pair Robson in central midfield, snubbing former teammate Paul Scholes.

"Incey was a very good player, maybe tarnished his United reputation with him playing for Liverpool or whatever," added Keane.

"There is a lot of talk about Incey being the 'Guv'nor' and that was held against him but that was just banter. There was no nastiness with that. Incey was a really good teammate and I thought he was a very good player.

"It was tough leaving Scholesy out and [Nicky] Butt, brilliant players and brilliant characters. But I just thought Incey in that first season I was there, when we won the double, he was brilliant in midfield.

"He was a good team-mate to have next to you in the trenches."

Keane completed his midfield with Ryan Giggs on the left wing and David Beckham on the right.

And up front, he named Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo as his two strikers, leaving out the likes of Eric Cantona, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

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