Roy Keane has opened up about his rivalry with an “overrated” Manchester United legend and the main “issue” he had with him in his legendary career at Old Trafford.
The 52-year-old Manchester United legend is widely regarded as one of the best captains of all time after a remarkable playing spell at the Red Devils.
Roy Keane ascended to the captaincy after United legend Eric Cantona suddenly retired in 1997 and was a linchpin midfield figure for Sir Alex Ferguson.
The no-nonsense Irishman excelled as a box-to-box midfielder at Old Trafford, coupled with his exemplary leadership skills as captain of the club.
Keane is held in his regard by his former teammates and the Sky Sports pundit had a long-lasting impact during his illustrious time at Old Trafford.
The Irish hardman lifted seven Premier League titles, a Champions League and four FA Cups during his time under legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Keane, who captained United to an iconic treble win, made his abrupt exit from Old Trafford in 2005 after his falling out with Ferguson.
Keane on his rivalry with Man Utd legend
Following his departure from Manchester United, Roy Keane had a brief spell with Scottish side Celtic before calling it time on his legendary career in 2006.
The former United captain has spoken fondly of his teammates in the past, including naming the five best players he played alongside at Old Trafford.
However, Keane also had no love lost for some of his former teammates and among them was none other than fellow United legend Peter Schmeichel.
Peter Schmeichel, who is regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers in Premier League history, had a sensational impact during his time under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Keane did not see eye to eye with the 60-year-old Dane and the ex-Nottingham Forest midfielder even famously scrapped with Schmeichel on a pre-season tour.
The former Republic of Ireland international even made a bold admission in the past after he claimed that Schmeichel was an “overrated” player he played alongside.
Keane admitted part of his rivalry with Schmeichel emerged due to his ex-teammate not wanting to return the captain’s armband when he returned from injury.
“The issue I had with Peter was when I came back from a cruciate [injury], when Peter didn’t want to give me the captaincy back,” he told The Overlap’s Stick to Football show.
That’s why I had a bit of a needle with Peter for a couple of months, and that’s where we had that fisticuffs. So that’s the other side of it.
“But yeah, obviously, I got injured and I came back to pre-season and we were in Scandinavia and the manager said, ‘Well, because we’re in Scandinavia, Peter’s captain for pre-season,’ I’m like, ‘OK, no problem, no big deal.’
“You’d think he’d want to give it back to me. And then when I was captain for the Charity Shield and Peter was upset, I remember the manager had to go with him after the match.”
Keane talks importance of Man Utd captaincy
Keane wore the captain’s armband until his exit from Old Trafford, with fellow United legend Gary Neville succeeding him as skipper at the Premier League club.
The former Sunderland and Ipswich Town is regarded as one of United’s best captains of all time alongside the legendary Bryan Robson.
Keane insisted that the captain’s armband was very important to him and he did not have a power trip due to his status, despite his eventual departure from United.
“I think the captaincy is really important,” he said.
“But I never got ahead of myself with the captaincy, which ironically cost me [in] the end when people thought I was crossing the line with people.
“I go, ‘No, no, I’ve always been like this.’”