Legendary ex-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson only had “two or three really private conversations” with one of his former players at Old Trafford.
Ferguson enjoyed incredible success during his glittering run at United and managed several world-class talents, including the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Eric Cantona.
However, the iconic 81-year-old Scotsman wasn’t afraid to clash with his former players and would brutally put them in their place when he needed to at United.
Ferguson, who would only allow one person to make fun of him at United, was able to keep order in his teams thanks to the figures who led the locker room at the club.
While Gary Neville once revealed the three players whom Ferguson would rely on in the dressing room, there was another crucial figure who was part of his success.
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Roy Keane on his relationship with Ferguson
Roy Keane was brought to Old Trafford by Ferguson after the former United manager paid a £3.75m transfer fee to land him from Nottingham Forest in 1993.
The 52-year-old Irishman excelled under Ferguson and was later appointed as club captain, with Keane still revered to this date for his exemplary leadership skills.
However, Keane insisted that he “never” had a real bond with Ferguson and revealed they only had “two or three really private conversations” during their time.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “There was never any bond there, absolutely not.
“People like to say we had a good relationship, I think I had two or three really private conversations with the manager during my time at the club, it was a case of get on with it, do your job, go out and perform week in, week out, and be a good pro around the place.”
Keane on why he didn’t want to become close to Ferguson
Keane achieved an incredible trophy haul at United, which included seven Premier League titles, a Champions League and four FA Cups under Ferguson.
Despite his important influence in the United first team, the Sky Sports pundit’s relationship with Ferguson fractured towards the tail end of his spell at Old Trafford.
Keane went on to briefly play for Celtic after his infamous exit from United in 2005, with the ex-United captain since opening up about his regret over the transfer.
The United legend, who revealed two elite European clubs wanted to sign him in his career, insisted that the club captaincy didn’t change his relationship with Ferguson.
“The manager gives you the captaincy for a reason,” Keane continued.
“It doesn’t mean to say you’re having cosy chats and cups of tea in the morning with a few biscuits, that never worked for me and I’m glad I was never really close to a manager like that.
“It’s just my opinion, there’s no need for it, why get close when you know at some point they’re going to make tough decisions and, as I found in my experience, when you think you’ve done well for them and they throw you under the bus anyway, but that’s for another day.”
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