TNT Sports pundit Chris Sutton raved about Manchester United legends Roy Keane and Paul Scholes during his rankings for the Premier League’s five best midfielders.
Keane was a pivotal figure in Sir Alex Ferguson’s United teams of the past and the Irishman excelled as club captain during his prolific spell at Old Trafford.
The 52-year-old Irishman, who named his most overrated teammate of all time, was a commanding presence on the pitch and adopted a no-nonsense style of approach.
Keane was a powerful box-to-box midfielder for United legend Ferguson and asserted himself effectively in matches, both as a leader and as a player.
Scholes, much like Keane, enjoyed a legendary career at Old Trafford and was an integral midfield presence for the Red Devils during his prolific time at the club.
The 49-year-old ex-England midfielder would play alongside Keane in the heart of the United midfield and the pair shared incredible success on the pitch.
Scholes, who revealed his funniest United teammate, is considered one of the best Premier League midfielders of all time alongside Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.
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Sutton’s top five Premier League midfielders
Speaking on the It’s All Kicking Off! podcast, Sutton selected his top five Premier League midfielders of all time and surprisingly snubbed Liverpool legend Gerrard.
The BBC Sport pundit said Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira would be No 5, with Chelsea hero Frank Lampard at No 4 and Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne at No 3.
“Patrick Vieira [is] at five. I mean, just the way he lifted that Arsenal team, the greatest Arsenal team I’ve ever seen in my lifetime,” Sutton explained.
“He had everything, brilliant leadership, he was strong, he was robust. Lifted players around him, but he would be in at five.
“Frank Lampard at four, his numbers, the goals he scored. A lot of penalties.
“A lot of 30-yarders as well. Big goals as well, a big-game player. So, he’d be my number four.
“The artist Kevin De Bruyne at three. What can’t he do? He’s got such unbelievable awareness. Eyes in the back of his head.”
Sutton on United legends Keane and Scholes
Sutton left his top two spots for Keane and Scholes, with the former Celtic and Blackburn Rovers striker praising the two United legends.
The 50-year-old footballer-turned-pundit named Keane as his No 2 pick and said he was in “awe” at the Irishman, admitting he wished he played for United at that time.
However, Scholes took the No 1 spot on Sutton’s rankings and the TNT Sports pundit claimed that the United legend could do everything De Bruyne could do.
“At number two, Roy Keane,” Sutton added.
“I just would have loved to have been in that Manchester United team in that dressing room. I was in awe of him [and of] that whole United team.
“He was the leader, he was the catalyst, he was the go-to man, the driving force, so he would be in it, too.
“My number one would be Paul Scholes. I mean, what couldn’t he do? And people talk about De Bruyne.
“I think Scholes was every bit as good as De Bruyne in terms of passing range, ability and awareness.
“He was maybe stronger in the tackle than Kevin De Bruyne. But I mean, it’s so difficult to choose.
“But if you look at Paul Scholes’ numbers, I think 11 Premier Leagues, he won. De Bruyne is nowhere near that at this moment in time.
“He [Scholes] went back to Manchester United [after initially retiring] and won things as well. He was such a phenomenal player.”
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