Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson was linked with one iconic former player who holds a deep-seated admiration for ex-Red Devils skipper Roy Keane.
Roy Keane arrived at Old Trafford in 1993 from Nottingham Forest after Manchester United paid a British record fee at the time of £3.75m.
The 53-year-old Irishman excelled in the heart of the United midfield and was a commanding box-to-box midfielder during his prime.
Keane’s no-nonsense approach on the pitch and off it led to the United legend ascending to the captaincy after Eric Cantona’s sudden retirement in 1997.
The former United midfielder was a key leadership figure for Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary teams of the past and Keane made a long-lasting mark at the club.
Keane famously captained United to their iconic treble win in the 1998-99 season, with the Irish hardman widely considered as one of the best skippers of all time.
During his time at Old Trafford, the ex-United captain lifted seven Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy and four FA Cups with the Red Devils.
Keane’s remarkable United career came to an abrupt end in 2005 after his relationship with Ferguson splintered and the Irishman was axed by the club.
Keane deeply admired by football legend
Roy Keane appeared on The Overlap on Tour alongside Manchester United legend Gary Neville, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher and Arsenal hero Ian Wright.
Joining the aforementioned quartet was none other than Daniele De Rossi, who had a remarkable playing career at club level and on the international stage.
The 41-year-old Italian former midfielder spent the large majority of his playing career with Roma before a brief spell with Boca Juniors at the end of his career.
Daniele De Rossi, who lifted the World Cup with Italy in 2006, opened up about his admiration for Keane and his interest in the Red Devils.
“I followed football in England when I was younger,” he said.
“I followed Manchester United a little more, I was fascinated by you [Keane] and your legacy. I really liked it.
“I was close to coming to England, it was my first option if I left Rome.
“I couldn’t go. It was Manchester United for me, I had some chances to go to other teams, but Manchester United was the one I recognised as the best club in England.”
Ferguson wanted De Rossi at Man Utd
Former Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi admitted that Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to meet him in 2006 amid the World Cup at the time.
However, the ex-Roma head coach remained at the Serie A club and United signed club legend Michael Carrick from Tottenham in the 2006 summer window.
“It was 2006 when I was in the airport during the World Cup and [former Italy manager] Marcello Lippi called me,” De Rossi added.
“I went there, I was scared of him, and he opened the door, brought me inside a small room and there was Sir Alex Ferguson in this room.
“He was flying from one city to another to watch the World Cup.
“Lippi said: ‘You have to go there.’ I was shy, because of him, because of Lippi as well, he was scary.
“It was a three-minute moment, nothing serious, but I’d have liked to say: ‘Yes, I want to come’ because Manchester United was something huge when I was younger.”
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