Roy Keane: Red Legend 1993-2005

10th August 1971, a United legend in the making was born. One, Roy Maurice Keane or as all us Reds got to know him Keano.

Born in Cork, Ireland, Roy started his football career playing for Irish side Cobh Ramblers, despite his love for boxing he chose football which may describe a few of his swings at Alan Shearer.

He played for the Ramblers until the late great Brian Clough came in for him and offered him the big move to Nottingham Forest, at the age of eighteen Roy quickly got into the first team and in his first season got a runners up medal in the FA Cup and yet again being on the losing side against Manchester United in a 1-0 defeat adding to his losers’ medals, of which he wasn’t ready to get used to.

When United made their move, despite interest from Barcelona (Maradona once said about Keane, ‘Buy him!, together we’ll play good!’ & Real Madrid, as the song says ‘When he saw Old Trafford he said ‘I fancy that’’. £3.75m was the fee, a club and English record at the time, and Keane started off at United playing up front, right back and eventually settling for his dominant role in centre midfield. And, when Paul Ince left Roy Keane became the driving force we all know and love and went on to be the heart and soul of United.

Playing alongside the likes of Bruce, Pallister, Hughes and the talismanic figure of Cantona, Keane won three Premiership trophies including two doubles in 1994 and 1996.His position was let known by Alex Ferguson when Eric Cantona announced his retirement, handing the captaincy of the Red Devils’ to Keane.

Unfortunately, Roy Keane’s first encounter with long-term friend Alfie Inge-Haaland came less than 2 months later and Roy picked up a cruciate knee injury in a game at Elland Road, home of the Scum. Roy’s presence or the lack of was felt and United and never lifted the Premiership that season.

When Keane returned it was left to see whether he would be the same and in fact he got better and better. Determination, strength, passion, goals, breaking up attacks, stamina and drive was just a little about Keane and he thrived on winning. This was summed up in his biggest career performance versus Juventus, in a Champions League Semi Final 1998-99 where he single handedly got United out of a hole and despite picking up a booking which meant he’d missed the final he got us there. United went on to pick up a historic Treble which was unprecedented. The Premiership, FA Cup and European Cup capped of Fergie and Keano’s finest seasons ever and wrote both of their names in United folklore.

The following season, 1999-2000, Keane’s abilities was right recognized and he picked up the PFA Player of the Year & the Football Writer’s Player of the Year. He was and is what the likes of his rivals Patrick Vieira, Steven Gerrard & Frank Lampard aspire to be and in a midfield alongside the most talented Paul Scholes and with David Beckham and Ryan Giggs on the wings, United had the best midfield ever on their hands and trophies were picked up every season.

Along came 2000-2001, Keane’s most controversial year. His blast at the ‘prawn-sandwich eaters’ after a poor fan display on a European night as well as a blast at his own team mates desire and commitment in Europe, blasts like that are what made the man and he spurred his team mates on and lead through example.Also to come that year was Keano’s part in the Haaland conflict, as he said in his book

'I" f**ckin' hit him, the ball was there (I think)'…Keane never forgot Haaland’s criticism of Keane when he injured himself at Elland Road and he made sure good old Alfie never forgot who he was.

In 2001-2002, Keane drove a United team on who appeared to have a slump and got the team winning again by Christmas, this was a team with new Argentinian £28m signing Juan Seba Veron. Keane picked up a hamstring injury which appeared to end his career but yet again his unique ability to make something out of nothing shone through and he made a ‘miraculous’ recovery and returned after 3 weeks.

Come the Summer of 2002, Keano’s last World Cup it seemed which ended almost before it started. Keane expected better facilities, preparation and sadly Yorkshire man Mick McCarthy never provided that to patriotic Keane’s Ireland which lead to a typical Keane outburst and his sending home, the facilities were later described as ‘Third-World’ of which Keane wasn’t happy. These sort of moments show Keane will be a great manager and give his team everything they deserve the fact that McCarthy never gave this produced a reaction for captain and inspiration Keane. Keane later announced his international retirement.

In August 2003, the autobiography hit the shelves. Keane’s story on everything from the Treble, to Haaland to McCarthy. And, he left no stone unturned. After his outspoken yet honest story about his deliberate actions against Haaland, Keane was branded a ‘psycho’ by the media yet Fergie stood by his man again as did the millions of United fans who let him know we were there for him.

Since 2003-2005, Keane was used sparingly by Fergie after his hip operations and constant niggling injuries yet Keane grabbed his 50th goal vs. Birmingham City at Old Trafford following a 53-game goal drought. Keane wasn’t the same player and his age was showing but that didn’t stop performances like those of the 2004-05 season at Highbury.

In the tunnel his old adversary had a few words and tried acting ‘heavy’ with Gary Neville, the now United skipper. Keano showed he was still the heartbeat of this side and with fire in his eyes told Vieira they’d settle it on the pitch. After 3 minutes, it seemed Vieira’s would win the battle and ram Keano’s words down his throat but Keano pulled the side on and got control of United’s three attacking threats Van Nistelrooy, Ronaldo and Rooney and pushed United on. United won 4-2. This epitomized his career.

Roll on 2005-06, and Keano wasn’t happy. After an outburst at his lacklustre team-mates on MUTV, Keane was reprimanded by Fergie and the start of the long, goodbye seemed to start. Keane’s word though were felt and Manchester United went on to beat Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal at Old Trafford with Smith saying following the Chelsea game that ‘we needed a reminder we are at a big club, unlike before!’ Keane’s words were felt but it was to be the end in the same season Keane left Manchester United by ‘mutual consent.’

Joining Celtic, his boyhood dream was lived out, but there was one pressing matter. Would he give United fans their dream? One more night in a United shirt. Keane said ‘Yes!’ and in a testimonial won 1-0 by United, Keane represented both Celtic and the Reds. On an emotional night, Keane said thank you to the United fans and there was tears in the eyes of most. He and Fergie shook hands and it made what was a fitting end to one of the greatest careers ever.

12th June 2006 came along and Roy Keane has been forced to end his career due to injuries. One thing is for sure he will never be forgotten, after a career spanning 13 years (1993-2006) Keane lifted 7 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, a European Cup and an Intercontinental trophy in his time. As well as numerous Charity Shields and other accolades.

Keane was described as the best Premiership player ever by Alan Hansen, the BBC Pundit.

Keano will never be forgotten and his retirement comes as a sad time to all involved with United. He is recognized by everybody in the footballing world as one of the finest to ever grace this beautiful game of ours, Keano you never will be forgotten and will be sadly missed at Old Trafford. I, as will others continue to sing your name and will love to see you back at Manchester United in a coaching, or any other capacity.

Thank You & Good Luck.

What They Said?

Roy Keane (after his testimonial)

‘That’s it really. I’ll remember this for the rest of my life. All the best!’

Roy Keane (on his retirement):
‘Having received medical advice from my surgeon and the Celtic doctor, my only option is to retire.I would like to send the manager, the staff, the players and supporters my very best wishes for the future’(Always a man of very little words)

Sir Alex Ferguson (following Keano's retirement):
‘Roy’s obsession with winning and the demand he put on others made him the most influential player in the dressing room.He became a great captain through that and to my mind he’s the best player I’ve had in all my time here. Over the years when they start picking the best teams of all time, he’ll be in there.His display in Turin 1999 was selfless; just wonderful. It was a tragedy he couldn’t play in the final in Barcelona’

Neil Custis (The Sun, 13th June 2006):
‘The light went out on Roy Keane's footballing life the day he left Manchester United last November. He tried to revive the old Keano up at Celtic but his mind and body just would not let him.He was really only ever a one-club man and he, as much as anybody, made it great.Manchester United have not been and never will be as good without Keane!’

Roy Keane's United Career:
481 appearances/51 goals
English Premier League: 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003.
FA Cup: 1994, 1996, 1999, 2003
Champions League: 1999
Intercontinental Cup: 1999

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