Denis Irwin did not hesitate to pick out one “brilliant” Manchester United legend alongside Roy Keane as the two best players he played alongside at Old Trafford.
Iconic former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson brought Denis Irwin to the Premier League club in 1990 after he signed him from Oldham Athletic.
Irwin had a prolific playing spell at Old Trafford and the 59-year-old United legend made a whopping 527 appearances for the Red Devils.
The former United defender is widely regarded as one of the best full-backs in Premier League history and Irwin excelled both in attack and defence.
Irwin was proficient at playing on both flanks and the former Red Devils full-back specialised at taking both free-kicks and penalties.
During his time under Sir Alex Ferguson, Irwin lifted seven Premier League titles, a Champions League, two FA Cups, a League Cup and a European Cup Winners’ Cup.
The United legend made his exit from Old Trafford in 2002 and went on to play for Wolves before he called it time on his legendary playing career in 2004.
Irwin on Keane and another Man Utd legend
Denis Irwin was reunited with former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland teammate Roy Keane on The Overlap’s latest Stick to Football episode.
Keane has lavished praise on ex-Republic of Ireland defender Irwin in the past and the legendary former United captain talked up his former teammate’s ability.
Irwin didn’t pass up the opportunity to take a cheeky swipe at former United teammate Gary Neville when he named the best players he played alongside.
Speaking on the Stick to Football show, the ex-United star revealed that the legendary Bryan Robson would be in the same column for him as Keane.
“I would put it down to two – Mr Keane or Mr Robson [the best players he played with],” Irwin said.
“Very similar – I like those tough, aggressive players – they’d be at my side all day long and don’t get me wrong, I’ve got a fair choice.
“[Peter] Schmeichel was a great goalkeeper, ‘Scholesy’ was an unbelievable footballer, ‘Giggsy’ – the longevity of what he achieved.
“‘Robbo’ was brilliant for four years – I know I caught the end of his career, but you could see why he was ‘Mr Manchester United’ in the ‘80s.
“I used to watch him box-to-box, but he was a typical box-to-box player back in the day.
“A bit like Roy and then ended up being a holding midfield player. A leader, captain, encouraging people, giving people a clip round the ear. Sorry, Gary!”
Irwin talks Robson and Keane
Bryan Robson is widely regarded as one of United’s best captains of all time and remains the longest-serving skipper in the Premier League club’s history.
The 68-year-old former United and England midfielder had a remarkable playing career at Old Trafford during the 1980s and 1990s.
Irwin admitted that the “brilliant” Keane was his favourite teammate, but he talked up the impact that Robson, AKA ‘Captain Marvel,’ had on him and others.
“My favourite teammate – he’s [Roy Keane], from Cork, he looks after me,” he said.
“We had a great time together. I had twelve years there [at Man United] – I’d like to think I got on with everybody. I wasn’t one of them that upset anybody.
“Roy was brilliant, he really was. ‘Robbo’ [Bryan Robson] was brilliant and was great for the young lads.”
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