Erik ten Hag has gifted Roy Keane a ticket to the Carabao Cup final next Sunday after the Manchester United legend made a cheeky request to the Dutchman earlier this month.
Keane asked the United boss for tickets in a pitch-side interview after the Red Devils booked their place at Wembley thanks to a 5-0 aggregate win over Nottingham Forest. United will face Newcastle in the final next Sunday following the Magpies' semi-final victory over Southampton.
After the Red Devils' second-leg win over Forest, Keane said: "And if you've got any spare tickets for the final, you'd let me know, just two complimentary if that's okay?"
Ten Hag responded: "Yes I think so Roy, no problem." Keane jokingly then made his request clear: "Complimentary though, I'm not paying," which left his Sky Sports colleagues in laughter.
Now, according to the Sun, Ten Hag has handed the Irishman some tickets for the game, having made it his own personal mission to ensure the former skipper was looked after. This is despite Keane being heavily critical on some of United's players in the past, including Fred, Scott McTominay and Luke Shaw.
A source told the Sun: "The manager promised Roy some tickets and has made sure he will get them. No one at the club has more than a couple to give to family and friends so it is a lovely gesture by Erik.
"He respects Roy for his incredible playing career and isn’t fazed by the directness of his punditry."
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United haven't been in a domestic cup final since 2018 when they took on Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley - a game they lost 1-0 thanks to Eden Hazard's strike. However, the last time the Red Devils won a honour in this country was the EFL Cup back in February 2017 after they beat Southampton 3-2.
Keane and United will be hoping for a similar outcome this time around when Newcastle are the opponents - and Ten Hag's side were handed a massive boost for the game when Nick Pope was sent off against Liverpool. It means the ex-Burnley stopper will now miss the crunch clash at Wembley and two further Premier League matches.
Loris Karius is set to deputise in between the sticks - almost five years since his last English career appearance after he started for Liverpool in the Champions League final. Mark Gilespie is the only other senior goalkeeper available for the Magpies as Martin Dubravka is cup-tied.
The Slovakian spent the first-half of the campaign on loan at Old Trafford and made two appearances in the Carabao Cup against Aston Villa and Burnley - meaning he cannot feature against United. Newcastle 'keeper Dubravka will therefore only collect a winners' medal if the Red Devils win the trophy.
