Roy Keane’s ongoing feud with Sir Alex Ferguson reared its head once more this weekend - with the Manchester United midfielder going out of his way to dispel what he saw as a misgiving about the Scot's managerial career.
The combative Irishman spent 12 years at the Red Devils, eight of which he served as a captain, winning a dozen major honours to establish himself as a true Old Trafford legend.
Under the leadership of Ferguson, Keane lifted the Premier League title as skipper on four occasions.
But the pair’s relationship went up in smoke when Keane went public with his desire to leave United at the end of the 2005/06 season.
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He then sparked more controversy when he criticised numerous members of the squad, including Rio Ferdinand, following a heavy defeat to Middlesbrough.
Wayne Rooney infamously described Keane’s final hours at the club, when player and manager almost came to blows when Fergie leapt over his desk to confront his captain.
Keane has previously suggested that he will never forgive Ferguson for the part he played in his departure, demanding an apology from his former boss.
“As much as I’m not one to hold a grudge, I wouldn’t forgive Ferguson,” he told the Off the Ball Podcast in 2019. "The media spin, how I apparently upset everybody, it was all nonsense.
“I don’t care if it’s Alex Ferguson or the Pope, you’re going to defend yourself.
“I think when he apologises I will probably say hello to him, yeah. But I’ve no interest in speaking to the man.”
He also took aim at what he perceived was a myth in regards to Ferguson’s fabled interpersonal skills.
“People talk about Ferguson’s man-management. Don’t be kidded by all that,” he continued. “I was at the club when Bryan Robson left, when Steve Bruce left, two brilliant servants for Manchester United, and I didn’t like the way they were treated.
“People talk about Ferguson’s man-management. Don’t be kidded by all that.”
And any suggestion that the hostility may have thawed in the last three years were quashed with Keane still icy cold when it comes to the 80-year-old.
Ferguson came up during the analysis of Man United’s win over Tottenham on Saturday and how much control interim boss Ralf Rangnick had over the current squad.
Rangnick admitted that managing a personality like Cristiano Ronaldo was “challenging” which raised a question about how United’s most successful ever coach would have dealt with it.
Speaking about the legendary boss' time in charge, Neville said: "Sir Alex Ferguson had control because of his success."
But Keane went on to quickly interrupt his ex-team-mate, snapping back: "Yeah, but Gary, it doesn't mean to say he didn't make mistakes."
"I didn't say he didn't," Neville responded before Keane doubled down on his statement.
"I know you didn't but I just wanted to make that clear," he reaffirmed. "Everyone talks about ex-managers, saying, 'they had power and control' as if they never made mistakes. They made wrong decisions as well."
The two may have been the architects of United’s era of dominance, but Keane’s latest comments have suggested there is work to do to repair their relationship.
