Roy Keane recalls incredible reason he didn't speak to Ryan Giggs for six months

11 February 2024 , 15:29

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Roy Keane refused to speak to Ryan Giggs for months during his time at Manchester United (Image: PA)

Roy Keane was Manchester United's chief enforcer during his playing days - and it will come as no surprise to learn that he was just as unforgiving off the pitch as he was on it.

Keane, 52, made 480 appearances for the Red Devils after moving to Old Trafford back in 1993 and was one of the most influential figures at the club during the Sir Alex Ferguson era: one of the most successful periods in the club's history.

The midfielder was surrounded by homegrown talent during his peak years including members of the Class of 92, who - like Keane - more than played their part in a team which became synonymous with success.

Ryan Giggs spent his entire career at Manchester United after coming through the club's academy and took up the mantle of dressing room leader after Keane left the club back in 2005. But the Welsh wizard was blanked by Keane for six months after passing on a club function earlier in his career.

Explaining some of his fallouts on the most recent edition of the Stick to Football podcast, Keane said: “Me and Palli [Gary Pallister] didn’t speak for about 12 months [after he left early during a night out]. You just have these disagreements. Palli’s a good guy – I fell out with Giggsy [Ryan Giggs], he wouldn’t do a function one time at the club – I was fuming with him. Me and Giggsy didn’t speak for five or six months!”

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While Keane noted his fallouts with Pallister and Giggs, his biggest feud at United came in the form of his bust-up with Ferguson before his exit.

A frank interview which saw Keane chastise several of his teammates on the club's in-house television channel led to a furious row with Ferguson, with Keane being moved on to Celtic not long after.

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Keane and Giggs patched things up regularly watch games at Salford City together alongside other members of the Class of 92 (PA)

Former Manchester United chief executive David Gill admitted earlier this week that Keane's fallout with Ferguson and subsequent exit was probably his biggest regret from his time at the club.

Speaking on the FIVE podcast, Gill recalled: "I've said this to Sir Alex [Ferguson]. One of my only regrets is that they were so great for each other, and to see them fallout - I think it's a pity. I obviously feel that. He was a fantastic captain, and for that [Ferguson/Keane relationship] to break down, was very difficult.

"You've got two winning and highly motivated individuals of their own mind, and it's come to that. We should celebrate what Roy Keane did for the team. He was fantastic for many, many years."

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Dan Marsh