Paul Scholes and Roy Keane saw eye to eye on the devastating impact that one “brilliant” Manchester United legend had during his time at Old Trafford.
Roy Keane and Paul Scholes shared the pitch together at Manchester United and the pair were linchpin midfield figures for former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Scholes spent his entire playing career at Old Trafford – across two different spells – after emerging into the United first team as a famed member of the ‘Class of ‘92.’
Keane previously waxed lyrical about the impact that the 49-year-old former United and England midfielder had during his legendary spell at the Premier League club.
During his time at Old Trafford, Scholes lifted 11 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, three FA Cups and two League Cups.
Keane played a pivotal midfield role and was a key leadership presence under former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, with the Irishman excelling as club captain.
The 52-year-old Irishman, who is regarded as one of the best captains of all time, led United to their historic treble win in the 1998-99 season as club skipper.
Keane, unlike Scholes, would see his legendary run at Old Trafford come to an end in 2005 after his relationship with United legend Ferguson fractured.
READ MORE: Roy Keane asked to name Man Utd teammate he ‘didn’t like,’ his immediate pick is real eye-opener
Scholes waxed lyrical about Man Utd legend
Paul Scholes initially retired from football in 2011 before the Manchester United legend made a U-turn and returned to Old Trafford as a player in 2012.
The former England international lifted the Premier League title in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season as manager before retiring for the second time in 2013.
Scholes and Roy Keane shared the pitch with a roster of star-studded strikers, including Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke.
Speaking to United Review in 2009, Scholes was asked to build his ‘ultimate’ United XI and treble winner Teddy Sheringham was one of his two centre-forward options.
The former United midfielder’s other centre-forward choice was none other than Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was thought of highly by former captain Keane.
“Just a brilliant finisher, Ruud could score from anywhere in the 18-yard area,” Scholes said, as per Manchester United’s official website in 2018.
What did Keane say about Van Nistelrooy?
Scholes often played in the No 10 role to link up with United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy after the Dutchman arrived at Old Trafford under Ferguson.
The ex-Three Lions midfielder has praised the impact that Van Nistelrooy had at the Premier League club and the connection he shared with the former United striker.
Van Nistelrooy finally completed his move to United in 2001 from PSV Eindhoven, following on from his initial transfer in 2000 collapsing due to a failed medical.
The 48-year-old Dutch former striker lifted a Premier League title, an FA Cup and a League Cup during his remarkable five seasons at Old Trafford.
Van Nistelrooy was a fan favourite at the Red Devils and the former Netherlands international scored an impressive 150 times in 219 appearances for United.
Keane admitted in his autobiography ‘The Second Half’ that Van Nistelrooy was the best finisher he had ever seen, especially in “one-on-one situations” on the pitch.
“There was a Champions League game last season, United played Bayern Munich, and Danny Welbeck went through, one on one with the keeper,” he said in his 2014 book.
“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.”