Training sessions during Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign could be just as important as games for his Man Utd squad, with Gary Neville’s tale about former captain and fellow pundit Roy Keane summing that up
Training sessions during Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign could be just as important as games for his Man Utd squad, with Gary Neville’s tale about former captain and fellow pundit Roy Keane summing that up Training sessions during Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign could be just as important as games for his Man Utd squad, with Gary Neville’s tale about former captain and fellow pundit Roy Keane summing that up
Gary Neville has recalled a tense moment where he felt Roy Keane went too far in a heated Manchester United training session.
Neville and Keane were each cornerstones in the United side for a large part of Sir Alex Ferguson‘s legendary reign. Fergie built an unrivalled will to win amongst his various squads.
It’s been well documented that impassioned competitive nature extended beyond matchday and onto the training pitch. No one wanted to lose the small-sided games they played between themselves.
But Keane was accused of crossing the line by Neville on one occasion. It came after podcast co-host Jill Scott asked the Irishman if Sir Alex had ever pulled him up on something he’d said.
Speaking on Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet, Neville told Keane: “I remember one time specifically, you’ll remember it, and I thought you were harsh, it was to Steve McClaren. We were in a training camp in Jerez.
“Our seven-a-sides, eight-a-sides were absolutely ferocious from a tackling point of view. And Steve, to be fair, it was difficult to control it. He gave a decision against Roy’s team, and he went absolutely… ‘It’s a f***ing disgrace’.
“Steve might have been talking to the boss and not watching, or something like that. Roy goes, ‘it’s a f***ing disgrace, we’re f***ing training and you’re f***ing not concentrating’.
“And he literally went straight for Steve McClaren. And I think he (Ferguson) might have had a word with you at that time over that one didn’t he.”
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Keane chuckled as his former team-mate detailed the story. And not usually one to backtrack on his takes, he stuck to his guns and defended his outburst towards McClaren.
“I always think if you’re gonna ref a game, f***ing watch the game. He wasn’t watching. And I get on well with Steve. I like Steve. But if you’re going to ref, watch the game,” Keane insisted.
Both Neville and Keane are on punditry duty once again for Sky Sports’ coverage of Liverpool vs United in the Premier League today (January 5), and it could prove to be another frustrating occasion for the two former Red Devils stars.
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