Roy Keane recalls telling the young Manchester United star he would ‘play for a pub team in a few years’ after insisting he didn’t have what it takes to succeed at Old Trafford.
Keane enjoyed huge success at United following his £3.75 million move from Nottingham Forest in 1993 and developed a reputation for being no-nonsense with the club’s captain.
The legendary midfielder – who was part of seven league titles, including their famous Treble-winning season with United in 1999 – told his teammates exactly what he thought, even when it got him into trouble.
In the latest episode of Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet, Keane revealed how he told a player he was ‘going to play for a pub team in a few years’ before falling out with Darren Fletcher. .
When asked if he was right to test his teammates, Keane said he felt he had balanced it well and insisted he just wanted to “set an example” before admitting he had done it wrong occasionally.
Roy Keane recalls telling young United star he would ‘play for a pub team in a few years’ after insisting he didn’t have what it takes to succeed at Old Trafford
Keane enjoyed huge success at United following his £3.75 million move from Nottingham Forest in 1993 and developed a reputation for being no-nonsense as the club’s captain.
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In the latest episode of Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky betRio Ferdinand recalled Keane punching Michael Stewart before training. He said, “We were sitting on the edge where you do your leg swings before training.
‘Michael Stewart was a young lad, Scotland international, he was there and I don’t know what made Roy tick, but I could hear him say, ‘You’ll never make it, you. You’re going to play for a pub team. in a few years, if you continue as you are now.’
Keane was quick to defend himself, claiming Stewart – who left Manchester United in August 2005 – needed the motivation. He said, ‘I was right! He eventually played for Hibernian and Heats. I tried to motivate him.’
Stewart started his career at United before playing for both Hearts and Hibernian. He also played for Nottingham Forest and Charlton Athletic. However, he never reached the heights expected of him, despite earning four caps for his country.
Keane’s spat with Stewart was not the first, and certainly not the last, time he has spoken his mind.
The former Manchester United midfielder regularly became involved in heated clashes with opponents, referees and sometimes even his own teammates and managers.
Although some of these traits carried over into his second career as a pundit, Keane became known for his tirades and ruling with an iron fist during his playing career.
Michael Stewart started his career at United before playing for both Hearts and Hibernian. He also played for Nottingham Forest and Charlton Athletic
The now 51-year-old, who is rarely seen with a smile on his face, criticized his teammates for being on their phones in the dressing room – with one specific moment standing out to Fletcher.
Keane said: The team hadn’t won for a week, and I tried to get across to the players: don’t forget what it’s about – a lot of players at the time were going through a phase where they were on their best phones in the dressing room. You try to help a player and set an example. I have a lot of time for Fletch.”
Keane also took to social media, claiming the introduction of Twitter (now called X). He said players were too focused on checking their accounts rather than the football being played on the field.
Speaking on the latest episode of Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet, the former Man United captain said: ‘The introduction of Twitter etc, that was the downside of the dressing room.
‘You go back to when we played, it sounds like it was a hundred years ago, and I was talking about it before I left United, I had a conversation with some of the players and said there was no problem with players going on Twitter , but it was when players came in after practice.
“I always thought it was important in a locker room for guys to have a conversation, but the phones took over.”
When asked if he had ever been wrong in picking on his teammates, Keane said: “Of course, absolutely, but I think I was right most of the time. When you try to set an example you think they’re wrong, but the older you get you might think (I was wrong).”
Keane also opened up about an argument he had with Darren Fletcher (above) in the dressing room
