Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane admitted that a Manchester United legend had a “few words” for him after one match in his legendary playing spell at Old Trafford.
Roy Keane enjoyed a prolific playing career at club level and the Irishman was a commanding box-to-box midfielder in his prime at Manchester United.
The 53-year-old former United star excelled in a leadership role and Keane made a long-lasting impact during his remarkable time as captain of the club.
Keane famously captained the Red Devils to an iconic treble win in the 1998-99 season and the United legend played a key role in the Champions League run.
During his time under Sir Alex Ferguson, the Irish hardman lifted seven Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy and four FA Cups.
Keane scored 51 times and registered 41 assists in 478 matches for the Red Devils before his relationship splintered with former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson axed the former United midfielder from the Premier League club in 2005 and Keane spent a brief spell with Scottish side Celtic before his retirement.
Man Utd legend Keane on heated encounter
Roy Keane teased on Wednesday that former Manchester United teammate Denis Irwin would appear on the latest episode of The Overlap’s Stick to Football show.
The ex-United captain played alongside Denis Irwin at Old Trafford and for the Republic of Ireland and Keane holds his fellow United legend in high esteem.
Irwin is widely regarded as one of the best full-backs in Premier League history and the Irishman had a sensational spell at United under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson deeply admired the 59-year-old former United left-back’s talent on the pitch and even named him as the only certainty for his Red Devils all-time XI.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane explained that “something happened” during a match that led to a heated encounter with Irwin.
The former Republic of Ireland and United midfielder, who is close pals with Irwin on and off the pitch, said it was the one and only time the pair had a bust-up.
“The only one I remember was after a game,” Keane explained.
“Something happened, you had a few words with me. Was it Juventus?
“Every now and again we’d stay in a hotel the night after the game. It was the only one we went back to the room and it was a bit frosty.
“We kinda went after each other. That was the only just in 12 years, which wasn’t bad.”
Keane and Irwin’s relationship at Man Utd
Denis Irwin was already at Old Trafford when Ferguson broke the British record transfer fee at the time to sign Keane from Nottingham Forest in 1993.
The United legend revealed that he ended up being roommates with Keane for a pre-season tour after his fellow Irishman’s arrival at the Premier League club.
“We were different ages when Roy Keane arrived at Manchester United,” Irwin said.
“We went to South Africa for a pre-season tour – I wasn’t supposed to go but we signed Roy, and the manager made me go. We roomed together and that was it.
“That’s what you did in those days – you roomed together and had a bit of fun because there were no phones.”
Speaking on Irwin, Keane said: “I tolerated Denis Irwin. Obviously, we’d been together with Ireland, so it was great – I was going to a new club and had Denis there to help me settle in. I couldn’t have picked a better roommate.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
