Manchester United legend Bryan Robson dropped a rare critique on one area of Roy Keane’s legendary captaincy after saying he went a “little bit over the top.”
Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane had a prolific playing career at Manchester United and is widely regarded as one of the best captains of the Premier League era.
Signed for a then-British record fee of £3.75m in 1993, Keane became a linchpin midfield figure for legendary former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The 52-year-old Irishman, who arrived at Old Trafford from Nottingham Forest, excelled as a box-to-box midfielder and was revered for his talented ability.
Keane was widely known for his no-nonsense approach both on the pitch and off it, which later helped him excel as United captain under Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Irish hardman ascended to the club captaincy at Old Trafford in 1997 after United legend Eric Cantona announced his sudden retirement from football.
Keane had a long-lasting impact during his time at the Red Devils, including captaining United to their iconic treble win in the 1998-99 season.
The former United captain’s spell at the Red Devils came to an end in 2005 after his relationship with Ferguson fractured and Keane departed from the club.
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Robson talks Keane and Man Utd captaincy
Bryan Robson was captain at Manchester United during the 1980s and 1990s and remains the longest-serving skipper in the Premier League club’s history.
The United legend retained the armband, which he received in 1982, under Sir Alex Ferguson after the Scotsman arrived at Old Trafford in 1986 from Aberdeen.
Robson carved out a prolific career at United and lifted two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, a League Cup and a European Cup Winners’ Cup with the club.
The 67-year-old former United midfielder and captain recently appeared on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast alongside ex-England manager Sam Allardyce.
Robson was tasked with building his ultimate United XI, with the United legend naming Roy Keane in the middle of the park alongside Sir Bobby Charlton.
The ex-England international hailed “madman” Keane and claimed that his former United teammate could do “everything on a football pitch.”
However, even Robson admitted that his fellow United legend could be a “little bit over the top” as a captain when he was dealing with the “kids” in the team.
“Alongside him [Sir Bobby Charlton], the madman Irishman Keaney,” Robson said.
“Roy could do everything on a football pitch. Head a ball, score a goal, tackle. I’m not selecting myself because I was gonna say right at the end, I’m [the] manager of this team.
“So, yeah, Keaney was a great player. An organiser as well.
“A little bit over the top as a captain now and again with the kids, but yeah, you’ve got to have a bit of edge to you which makes you even more special as a player.”
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Robson’s ‘ultimate’ Man Utd XI
Robson named United legends Ryan Giggs and David Beckham as his only two substitutes after making the tough decision to leave them out of his all-time XI.
However, the former United star assembled a star-studded roster of players for his ‘ultimate’ Red Devils XI, including the likes of Wayne Rooney and George Best.
Posted below is Robson’s all-time Man Utd XI:
- GK: Peter Schmeichel
- RB: Denis Irwin
- CB: Duncan Edwards
- CB: Jaap Stam
- LB: Tony Dunne
- RW: Cristiano Ronaldo
- CM: Sir Bobby Charlton
- CM: Roy Keane
- LW: George Best
- ST: Denis Law
- ST: Wayne Rooney
- Subs: Ryan Giggs and David Beckham
- Manager: Bryan Robson