Super Reds Legends: Roy Keane

Roy Keane is another football icon.

He is someone that won a number of team and individual honours during a hugely successful playing career.

A brief overview

He is the joint most successful Irish footballer of all time, having won 19 major trophies in his club career, 17 of which came during his time at Manchester United. Many regard him as one of the best midfielders of his generation. In 2004. he was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players. 

In his 18-year playing career, Keane played for Cobh Ramblers, Nottingham Forest, and Manchester United before ending his career at Celtic. He was a dominating box-to-box midfielder noted for his aggressive and highly competitive style of play. 

This was an attitude that helped him excel as captain of Manchester United from 1997 until his departure in 2005. Keane helped United achieve sustained success during his 12 years at the club. He then signed for Celtic, where he won a domestic double before he retired as a player in 2006.

A replacement for another Manchester United icon

When Roy Keane moved to Old Trafford in the summer of 1993, Alex Ferguson almost certainly saw him as a long-term replacement for another United hero in Bryan Robson. 

He quickly established himself as a first-choice selection for The Red Devils. By the end of the season, he had won his first trophy as a professional as United retained their Premier League title. Two weeks later, he helped United to a 4–0 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup Final, sealing their first-ever double. 

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His finest performance

In an inspirational display against Juventus in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final, he helped bring his team back from two goals down to win 3–2, scoring the first United goal. His performance in this game has been described as his finest hour as a footballer. For many Manchester United fans, this performance was all the more remarkable due to the fact he knew from early on that he wouldn't play in the final due to a suspension.

Check out this video from BT Sport. Roy Keane, Juventus vs Man Utd (1999) Champions League classic displays - YouTube

Zepher Gaming commented on that YouTube video:  "This was one of the most inspirational, effective and tenacious performances ever. He will go down in history as one of the Premier League's greatest ever captains. He kept all those around him firmly on the ground and demanded the highest of standards from them at all times."

East Stand Season Ticket holder Olivia Taylor described him as "the greatest ever midfielder in United's more modern era. An absolute icon."

A controversial international career

You can read more about Roy Keane's time with his nation and numerous other things by visiting the European Super Football article on this icon of football.