adminLONDON. – Roy Keane insisted that Sir Alex Ferguson “doesn’t know the meaning of loyalty” after his former manager criticised him in his new autobiography.
Ferguson writes how Keane, who spent 12-and-a-half years at the heart of a fearsome United midfield, struggled to cope when his powers as a player waned.
“He was a great player for me, a great captain, but he overstepped the mark and the right thing was done,” said Ferguson.
“We had to cut the strings. We did honour his playing career by paying up his contract, we honoured his testimonial and he did come in and apologise. But he has come out several times over the last few years and really spoiled that.”
Keane responded in his role as a pundit on ITV’s coverage of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund.
“I’m quite relaxed. I do remember having conversations with the manager when I was at the club about loyalty and in my opinion I don’t even think he knows the meaning of the word,” said the former United midfielder.
“It doesn’t bother me too much what he has to say about me, but to constantly criticise other players at the club who brought him a lot of success I find very strange.
“But I certainly won’t be losing any sleep over it.
“I just don’t think a manager needs to do that. I’m not sure how many books he’s written now, but he has to draw the line eventually and say, ‘listen, these players have all been top servants to Man United’.
“A lot of these players helped the manager win lots of trophies so imagine what he’d have said if we’d never won a trophy.
“We brought success to the club, we gave it everything when we were there, but it’s just part of modern life. People like to do books and criticise their ex-players.”
Keane did publish his own autobiography in 2004, titled Keane: The Autobiography. – Mailonline.
Online Reporter