Roy Keane says he turned down the no 7 jersey at Manchester United, admitting having the no.16 squad number kept him 'on his toes' during the club's glory filled years in the 1990s.
Speaking in his second autobiography Second Half, Keane tells how Sir Alex Ferguson wanted him to succeed Eric Cantona in the famous number at Old Trafford, as well as taking over the captaincy from the departing Frenchman.
"The captaincy is important, but squad numbers can have an importance, too." Keane said.
"The manager pulled me into his office and said that he wanted me to wear the ‘7’. I said, ‘No, I’m not bothered."
David Beckham had broken into the team wearing 24 as part of the 'class of 92', moving to the no 10 in 1996 when we announced himself by lobbing Neil Sullivan at Selhurst Park on the opening day of the 1996/97 Premier League season against Wimbledon.
As Beckham's personal stardom began to develop, Keane says it was a problem and felt his teammate thought he was 'bigger than Sir Alex Ferguson'.
Despite not agreeing to the showbiz side of the former England captain, Keane admits he felt it was a good idea to hand Beckham the shirt, letting the manager know his thoughts.
"Becks got it, and it suited him – and Cantona.
"Ronaldo had it after Becks."
Cristiano Ronaldo is United's current no 7 and took the shirt following his return last summer.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner scored 24 goals in all competitions last season, but United recorded their lowest-ever Premier League points tally and finished sixth.
He attempted to leave the club in the summer in a bid to play Champions League football.
However, no suitors came in and Ronaldo remained at United. He started Thursday's 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad in the Europa League, his first appearance in the competition in 20 years.
Ronaldo is yet to score a goal this term.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: David Beckham, Roy Keane, Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson
- 'Drive me mad!' - Roy Keane opens up on bizarre stance Sir Alex Ferguson took at Man United
- Sir Alex Ferguson's passionate and honest speech on failure is 'the best you'll hear', it's gone viral
- The Man Utd player David Beckham begged Sir Alex Ferguson not to sell
- Sir Alex Ferguson 'never spoke' to final Man Utd signing who 'didn't get a lot of help'
.png)
.png)
