Roy Keane’s relationship with Manchester United is a complicated one.
The Irishman is rightly regarded as one of the club’s all-time greats. Signed by Alex Ferguson in 1993 after impressing at Nottingham Forest, the Cork native became his manager’s fearless on-pitch general, leading the club to dizzying heights, including the unprecedented treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in 1999.
Being named captain in 1997 was a big deal. In wearing the armband, Keane was following in the footsteps of some of United’s most influential characters.
They included Bryan Robson. Although Keane succeeded Eric Cantona as captain, Robson had certainly set a stellar example before the Frenchman. When Keane was establishing himself at Old Trafford, Robson’s time at the club was nearing an end.
Having played against Keane when he was at Forest, Robson knew what a fiercely competitive personality he was.
While Robson left United in 1994, Keane remained for more than a decade. When he eventually left, in 2005, he had amassed 480 appearances and lifted silverware that included seven league titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League.
After a brief stint at Celtic, Keane embarked on a career in management and, while in charge of Ipswich Town, released a book co-written by novelist Roddy Doyle. In it, Keane detailed his fractious relationship with Ferguson and took aim at the club resembling a ‘mafia situation.’
Keane wrote: “That’s why I took a step back from Man United. They’re all decent lads, don’t get me wrong, but it’s almost like a mafia situation. If you think it’s a sending-off or David Gill might be wrong or Alex Ferguson, you say it. These people are just: ‘It’s Man United, woh!’ It’s like Disneyland – Man United Land, with fucking Mickey Mouse running everywhere.”
Speaking to SportsJOE during a visit to Dublin on Wednesday, Robson said he thinks Keane ‘probably regrets’ his current relationship with some of United’s fans and figures at the club.
“I just think he spoiled the relationship he had with some of the fans and the club,” Robson said.
“He was a great servant to the club and won all sorts of things and still enjoys living around Manchester, because he’s a neighbour of mine now. I think sometimes you do things as a player or a manager that you come to regret and I’m sure Roy probably regrets the relationship he has with some of the management at Old Trafford and also with some the fans.”
When discussing Keane the player, though, Robson’s praise was unequivocal.
“Roy came into a very good team but was a top player,” he said.
“I’d played against him a few times when he was at Nottingham Forest and he was a really difficult opponent to play against. He had a bit of everything, so he was a great signing for United and he proved that by the amount of trophies he won and the length of time he stayed at United. He fitted in really well with the Class of ’92 boys coming through two years after he joined.”
While Robson clearly holds that famous United side in high regard, he admitted that the current campaign has been “just okay.”
“It’s been just okay so far,” he explained.
“Obviously, it was disappointing to go out to Sevilla in the Champions League but if Manchester City hadn’t been playing so well this season, United could be top of the league right now.
“Everyone seems to be criticising United but Liverpool and Tottenham are there or thereabouts and no criticism seems to be aimed at them.”
Bearing the brunt of those attacks, of course, has been United manager Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese coach has come under fire for his pragmatic style of football, with tensions coming to a head following United’s exit from Europe.
“It seems that there’s an attack on Jose Mourinho rather than United,” Robson said.
“The criticism of Mourinho has been slightly unjust but when you have a performance like we did against Sevilla, then you’re going to attract criticism. It was a poor performance at home so it wasn’t just about getting beat, it was the way the boys performed that evening, which was a disappointment. So, to get anything out of the season, they have to win the FA Cup and finish runners-up in the league.”
Robson, revered as one of United’s greatest leaders, also believes the current squad needs a commanding personality, someone who will organise the team and demand the best from everyone in the team.
“I think the squad has enough experience, people like Chris Smalling, Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba, who knows what it’s like, he grew up at Manchester United. I’d just like someone who’s going to organise and demand something from his teammates rather than everyone get on with their own game.
“If you’re going to be a captain or a leader on the pitch you have to demand a lot from your teammates and I don’t think we do enough of that.”
“Bryan Robson was speaking at the launch of Carling’s Play on a Premier League Pitch Experience. Carling are giving Irish fans the chance to win an experience of a lifetime to play a match on a Premier League pitch. To enter, visit www.facebook.com/CarlingIreland.”
