Curraghboy native John Scally has penned a new book entitled ‘Simply Red: The Funny Book of Manchester United’.
In this excerpt, Scally details the impact of former Republic of Ireland captain, Roy Keane, at the Old Trafford club.
‘In the last generation no Irish player has got the acclaim that Manchester United that Roy Keane did. In May 1993 when Steve Bruce placed the crown-shaped lid of the premiership trophy on the head of Bryan Robson, on one of Old Trafford’s most memorable nights it was a fitting coronation for ‘Captain Marvel’.
However, not even Robson could go on forever. A replacement would have to be found for him in midfield but it was a formidable task.
Roy Keane signed for United for a then club record £3.75 million in summer 1993 from Nottingham Forest. Keane had the awesome task of replacing Eric Cantona as United captain following the French star’s shock decision to leave the club in the summer of 1997. That same year on his video of his dream United team Alex Ferguson described Keano as one of the best midfielders in the world.
His first season at Manchester United was not without its problems because of the burden of a record £3.75 million transfer fee and the inevitable comparisons with Bryan Robson whose mantle he was destined to inherit. The young pretender in the shadow of the master. At Old Trafford Keane was called ‘Damien’ by the other players after the character in The Omen.’
No Flash Harry
‘As a pundit today Keane has lost none of his edge. In their first game back in ‘Project Restart’ against Spurs in June 2020 when United were trailing to Spurs Roy was ‘fuming’ at half-time. His main targets were Harry Maguire and David De Gea. So ‘disgusted’ was he with their performances that he said he would not allow either of them on the team bus after the game!’
Tearjerker
In June 2020 Roy Keane gave a lengthy interview to a newspaper journalist. At the end the reporter apologised for taking so much time.
Keane replied: ‘Yeah I know. My beard has grown much longer since this interview started.’
John Scally’s new book ‘Simply Red: The Funny Book of Manchester United’ is available in all good bookshops now.
