Roy Keane is a great Manchester United player, but things would have turned out very differently if he had stuck to a promise.
The Irishman is one of the Red Devils’ most decorated players of all time, winning seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League between 1993 and 2005.
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But someone might be particularly saddened by Keane’s exploits at Old Trafford, as the former midfielder initially promised to move to Blackburn instead, then was coached by Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish.
Before the young Keane made history as a Premier League icon at United, he made a name for himself at Nottingham Forest in the early 1990s under legendary coach Brian Clough.
However, the then 22-year-old found himself at a crossroads in his career in 1993 when Forest were relegated from the top flight.
With Keane’s contract containing a £3.5million release clause, the former Ireland international has since revealed that it was actually Rovers who overpaid for his signing.
I’ll keep talking The overlap isStick with football‘ In June he explained that a move to Ewood Park seemed all but sealed.
Keane recalled: “During the summer I met with Blackburn and Kenny Dalglish, they agreed a £4m deal with Forest.
“Nottingham Forest were delighted because Blackburn gave the extra £500,000. They didn’t wait until September 1st (for his release clause) because they wanted me for pre-season.
“I was on £250,000 (a year) at Forest and Kenny said they could give me £400,000. I think I did [initially] I asked for £500,000 because I heard it [striker Alan Shearer] was there.”
Keane then agreed to sign for the Lancashire club, but the contract was temporarily put on hold as the club’s office was closed over the weekend.
He continued: “I sat in an office and said, ‘Okay, I’ll do the deal’ and shook hands.
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“It was a Friday evening and Blackburn said the people in the office were away so we couldn’t work out the contract, so I caught a flight home and said, ‘We’ll come back next week and sort it out.’
But the story would take a turn when a hungover Keane received an unexpected call back home in Ireland.
The 53-year-old continued: “I flew back to Cork, went out on the Saturday evening and had a good night because I went to Blackburn and got a nice little pay rise.”
“Sunday morning I’m lying in bed, not at my best, my mother comes and says Alex Ferguson is on the phone.
“He said he had tried to talk to me and I said, “I’ve agreed to go to Blackburn.”
“He said, ‘Did you sign anything?’ I said, “No,” so he asked me to meet him. I flew to Manchester on Monday to meet him.”
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The Red Devils’ interest quickly turned Keane’s head and he then sought the help of a lawyer recommended by his Irish teammate David O’Leary to persuade United to increase their wage offer.
The midfielder ultimately accepted a reduced annual salary of £350,000 to join the reigning English champions and later signed a contract worth a then British transfer record of £3.75 million.
But as Keane withdrew his verbal agreement to join Blackburn, he told how a furious Dalglish reacted to the news.
He recalled: “[He said] Something like, “You’re a real joke, no one does that to Kenny Dalglish!”
Keane then revealed he was unable to enjoy his boys’ upcoming holiday in Ayia Napa after informing Dalglish of his plans before returning to United.
The United legend said: “Kenny was going crazy and I remember saying: ‘Kenny, I’m going on holiday tomorrow’, I said: ‘Listen, I’m going to enjoy it’.”
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“That’s, you know, ‘I’ll sign for them when I get back.’ So I said, ‘I’m done.”
“He said, ‘I’ll find you.’
“I was in Ayia Napa for a week and looked over my shoulder! I swear!”
And Keane’s decision to risk Dalglish’s wrath certainly paid off in the long run.
He then played 477 games for United, serving as club captain from 1997 until his departure in 2005. This was a golden era for the club.
But Dalglish wasn’t the only manager he duped in his career, with the fast-talking former star leaving Old Trafford after a public row with Ferguson.
Keane was shown the door by Sir Alex after an explosive interview on MUTV in which he criticized his own team-mates.
He carried this no-nonsense approach into his post career and is now a popular TV analyst.
His strong opinions, which angered his former boss, now have fans talking every weekend.
“There is only one Keano,” as the Old Trafford faithful used to sing.