Manchester United legend Roy Keane revealed the best finisher “ever” and claimed that he “never doubted” him for a moment in a one-on-one situation with a ‘keeper.
Roy Keane created a long-lasting impact at Old Trafford after his legendary playing career under iconic former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The 52-year-old Irishman was widely revered for his leadership skills as captain, with the United legend also excelling as an exceptional midfielder on the pitch.
Keane, who has become a key pundit in football, famously led United to a treble in 1999 as captain after he inherited the armband from club legend Eric Cantona.
The Sky Sports pundit, who retired in 2006, lifted an impressive seven Premier League titles, a Champions League and four FA Cups at the Premier League club.
Keane’s spell at United came to an end in 2005 after Sir Alex Ferguson axed him from the club and the Irish hardman saw out the remainder of his career at Celtic.
Following on from his football career, the ex-United captain has opened up about his time at Old Trafford and both the highs and lows of his time in coaching.
Keane on the best finisher ‘ever’
Roy Keane has spoken highly about some of his ex-Manchester United teammates, with the former Red Devils midfielder since naming his best teammate of all time.
The former United skipper has also revealed the best player he played alongside in his career and named one legendary former footballer as the outright ‘GOAT.’
Speaking in ‘The Second Half,’ Keane recalled United’s 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich at Old Trafford in the first-leg quarter-final clash in the Champions League in 2014.
The United legend pointed to Danny Welbeck’s important miss in the first half, with the former Red Devils star squandering a one-on-one against Manuel Neuer.
Keane argued that Ruud van Nistelrooy “wouldn’t have” made the same mistake as Welbeck after praising the United legend as the best finisher “ever.”
“There was a Champions League game last season, United played Bayern Munich, and Danny Welbeck went through, one on one with the keeper,” he wrote in his autobiography.
“He missed it. Ruud van Nistelrooy wouldn’t have. Ruud was the best finisher, ever, but especially in one-on-one situations, just the keeper to beat.
“When Ruud was going through, one on one, I never doubted him. Some players would be going, ‘F****n’ hell – hard and low? Or dink it over?,’ but when Ruud was through there might as well have been no goalkeeper.”
Keane on his relationship with Van Nistelrooy
Ruud van Nistelrooy has spoken highly of his experience of playing alongside Keane, despite his ex-teammate bugging him for “four months” over one thing at United.
The 47-year-old Dutchman, who has been linked with a return to management, was a fan favourite during his prolific five seasons at Old Trafford under Ferguson.
Van Nistelrooy was a lethal talisman in attack during the prime of his career, with United legend Paul Scholes dropping the ultimate praise on the Red Devils hero.
The former Netherlands striker, who named the toughest defence he ever faced, scored an incredible 150 times in 219 appearances for United.
Keane admired Van Nistelrooy and admitted that he had a close relationship with the players who came to Old Trafford from abroad.
“Ruud had his own traits; he could be moody at times – unlike me. But he was a good guy,” he said.
“I got on well with Ruud. I got on well with all the foreign lads; I used to enjoy picking their brains.
“I wished I was a bit like some of them – a little bit laid back, like Dwight Yorke, or clever like the Dutch lads when it came to looking after themselves.
“I wasn’t jealous; I was intrigued, curious about them. Not playing when you’re injured – that was pretty sensible.
“But I was conditioned to think that not playing if you weren’t 100 per cent fit was a sign of weakness, and that you should be strong and play when you were injured.”