Mark Clattenburg named ‘stone-cold’ Man Utd legend in five most annoying players he officiated in his career

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Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg revealed that a Manchester United legend was among the five most annoying players that he officiated in his career.

Clattenburg refereed in the Northern League, National League and English Football League before breaking into the Premier League.

The 48­-year-old had a long-running stint in the Premier League as a match official before he left his position in 2017.

Clattenburg, who was once a FIFA referee for international matches as well, went on to work in the likes of China and Egypt after his time in the Premier League.

The former Premier League referee played his part in a wide range of different matches, including the Euro 2016 final and the Champions League final in 2016.

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Clattenburg on United legend Roy Keane

Clattenburg revealed that United legend Roy Keane was among the five most annoying players that he crossed paths with during his career.

According to the ex-FIFA referee, Keane would come across as “stone-cold” on the pitch and the no-nonsense Irishman “wanted to be the hard man.”

Joining Keane on Clattenburg’s five-man list are Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel, Porto defender Pepe, ex-Arsenal star Jens Lehmann and former Liverpool man Craig Bellamy.

Speaking on Keane, Clattenburg wrote for The Daily Mail in 2020: “I have to start by saying that I worked with Roy for ITV during the World Cup in 2018 and he was a gentleman and nice to be around, proof that players can be very different off the pitch from on it.

“Because when he played he was hard to manage. Remember the incident with Andy D’Urso when he screamed in his face, that attempt to bully the referee is what he was like.

“I do think that came from Sir Alex Ferguson as well though. It was never about influencing the decision that had gone with Manchester United, it was always about applying more pressure ahead of the next one.”

Clattenburg says Keane ‘couldn’t’ be trusted

Keane became synonymous for his tough reputation on the pitch and off it alongside his cutthroat attitude, both of which helped him excel as United captain.

While Keane’s actions on the pitch might not have won him any favours with referees, United fans know it was a defining part of his character as a player.

Clattenburg admitted that the former United captain could be wildly unpredictable, despite adding that Keane could top-quality company “over dinner.”

“You just couldn’t trust Roy either. You never knew if he was going to blow up or do something nasty, like the tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland. That was a disgrace, it was pre-meditated,” he continued.

“He always came across as stone-cold and wanted to be the hard man. That causes problems for referees because the ego kicks in and it becomes a fight, like it did between him and Patrick Vieira.

“I once made a joke on a podcast that I was intimidated by Roy and it made headlines, but I wasn’t. He was just a challenge to referee — although he is great company over dinner!”