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5th November 2023
04:42pm GMT

Alex Ferguson of Manchester United applauds Roy Keane of Celtic after his Testimonial match, at Old Trafford on in May 2006. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)[/caption]
"There will be about 20,000 Celtic fans here, which is unbelievable," Ferguson remarked. "More importantly, there will be about 50,000 Man United supporters, which is a recognition of the contribution Roy Keane made to the football club. "Roy has an unquenchable thirst to win a football match, and that spread throughout the team. His influence was staggering. For 10 years, particularly in his time as captain, he was the biggest influence in this football club."Asked about the relationship between manager and player, during Keane's time at the club, Ferguson said, "I often say this, that I can see myself in Roy, and I was very comfortable with that." When the subject Keane's "abrupt" departure in November of that season, Ferguson said he was pleased Keane was getting a proper send-off from the Old Trafford faithful. "Our fans will give him a fantastic reception, and quite rightly so, because they, more than anyone, will have appreciated what he has done here." The Scot was asked if Roy Keane was "irreplaceable" and, smiling, said, "Well, we've been looking for a replacement for Roy for three or four years and we haven't found anyone, and I don't think there is anyone out there."
Those comments from Ferguson expose a myth about the end of Keane's time at United being a sudden shove, rather than something was was gradually coming to an end. Ferguson had brought in players like Juan Sebastian Veron, Kleberson and Liam Miller from 2001 to 2004 as he tried to plan for United after Keane. Darren Fletcher, too, was thrust into centre midfield to see if he had what it takes. He has since spoken of how Keane was invaluable in helping him bed into the United midfield. Keane himself had turned 34 at the start of his final season at United. Gary Neville would later observe, on a Soccerbox episode featuring Keane, that his old teammate would not have been able to take staying on at United but playing less and less minutes each season.Keane would play the first half for Celtic and the second half for United. Ferguson joked that he had told Keane, when he was playing for Celtic, "for 45 minutes, no shouting at my little boys!"
"I’d like to thank the players. I know it’s been a long season, probably this is the last thing they needed, but I do appreciate it – thanks very much. That’s it, really. I hope you’ve had a great night. It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. All the best."While Keane has not mended those bridges with Alex Ferguson yet, he is back in a better spot with his former club. He spoke of being uncomfortable attending games at Old Trafford for a few years - often spotted instead at Nottingham Forest and Salford United games - but that has changed in the past five or six years. Earlier in 2023, he even appeared in a club promo video - reliving his old 'prawn sandwiches' speech - for the launch of some away kit.
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