- Ferguson was right about Keane years ago
- Irishman recently involved in spat with Bruno Fernandes
- Timeless intervention two decades ago ousted midfielder from Old Trafford
The relationship between Manchester United and Roy Keane has always been a controversial talking point for years.
Decades after the legendary skipper was given his marching orders out of Old Trafford, history is repeating in another fashion.
The latest war of words has been with the current club captain, Bruno Fernandes. It has brought hindsight back to the spotlight, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s timeless words on Keane still ringing true to his personality of today.
Ferguson Intervention was Right
The club-first philosophy that the Scotsman lived by was the epitome of the legendary manager maintaining the status quo.
The infamous 2005 fallout involving Keane’s unreleased MUTV interview has come to light once more. Speaking after the decision to get rid of the Irishman, Ferguson made it clear that player power could never cross a certain line.
Speaking to the press years later, he said: “For one reason or another, he decided to go and criticise his teammates, and so most of you have not seen that video. But you couldn’t release it, we couldn’t release it, we decided that we had to do something.”
Ferguson and Keane have not spoken to each other to this day. Keane’s teammates were shown the video by the manager.
He continued: “The meeting in the room was horrendous, you know that, and we just, I just couldn’t lose my control in this particular situation. And if I had of let it pass, I think the players would have viewed me differently. I think that throughout my career, I think I’ve been strong enough to deal with important issues like that. Roy, he overstepped his mark, absolutely overstepped his mark, and there was no other thing we could do.
“We did well by the way, we paid up his whole contract. We gave him a testimonial in the following season. We did everything we could to honour the fact that he was a great player for us.”
Recent Bruno Spat Backs Ferguson View
Ferguson’s ruthless handling of that situation was controversial at the time. However, upon revision it remains justified. The legendary manager understood that an unchecked, toxic dressing room can completely divide a squad.
United in the post-Ferguson era have suffered from that all too well. Big-name personalities have come through the door, leading the way for dismantling the club from the inside out. Fernandes accused Keane of telling a “lie” in putting his personal glory over the team. by focusing on a historic achievement.
The 31-year-old broke the Premier League single-season assist record, surpassing icons Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne in the process. Ferguson knew exactly when to cut ties to preserve United’s integrity. Today’s landscape proves that Fergie was timelessly right once again.
