Roy Keane has revealed why he doesn’t support Man United in an emotional admission during the latest episode of The Overlap.
Joining him were usual hosts Gary Neville, Ian Wright, and Jill Scott, and their conversation shifted to the complexities of supporting multiple football clubs.
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Scott shared her deep affection for her home club Sunderland while expressing the fondness she has for Man City, a team she played for during her career.
Despite being an all-time Red Devils legend, Keane responded: “I don’t support Man United. I don’t support Nottingham Forest.”
Neville interjected: “But when you watch United, don’t you feel more emotional about the game?”
Keane replied: “You feel you have more of an insight into how it works at the club and the expectations, but I wouldn’t say I’m a fan.
“The results wouldn’t make or break my weekend. I wouldn’t be going home saying, ‘Get in there.’ I’d be looking at it professionally.”
Neville chimed in: “You wouldn’t be happy if United won?”
Keane responded: “Yeah, but it wouldn’t spoil my weekend if they lost.
“I grew up in Ireland, remember? I played for the club, and I’m very grateful for that. I’d say you have a soft spot for them, but the results wouldn’t be making or breaking my weekend. Same for Forest, Celtic, or clubs I was involved in.”
Their discussion took an emotional turn when they reminisced about whether they had ever shed tears over football.
Keane reluctantly revealed there was indeed a time he was moved to tears.
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“I cried when I left Manchester United that morning. I cried in my car,” he revealed with a sombre tone.
His admission was met with sympathy from his fellow hosts, who seemed surprised, given that Keane isn’t exactly known for his emotional side.
Scott asked: “Who was the first person you called when that happened?”
“My wife on the way back. I said, ‘Get the kettle on,’” Keane said.
Wright said: “I feel like I’m going to cry now, the thought of you crying in the car because that’s what it meant to you; people don’t realise that.”
Scott said: “And that’s why he doesn’t follow them now because they treated him like s***.”
Roy Keane – Man United honours
Premier League – 7 (1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03)
FA Cup – 4 (1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04)
FA Community Shield – 4 (1993, 1996, 1997, 2003)
UEFA Champions League – 1 (1998–99)
Intercontinental Cup – 1 (1999)
Keane jokingly said: “I’m not one to carry a grudge, you know that.”
The Irishman’s departure in November 2005 was a complicated situation with numerous factors.
A controversial MUTV interview where he criticised his teammates played a huge part.
Following a 4–1 defeat to Middlesbrough, he called out the performances of John O’Shea, Alan Smith, Kieran Richardson, and Darren Fletcher.
Regarding the club’s record signing at the time, Rio Ferdinand, he stated: “Just because you are paid £120,000 a week and play well for 20 minutes against Tottenham doesn’t make you a superstar.”
Management deemed his outburst too harsh and subsequently banned its transmission on the club’s TV station.
However, the MUTV interview wasn’t the sole factor; tensions had been simmering between Keane and manager Sir Alex Ferguson, largely due to disagreements over training facilities and Keane’s aspirations to play elsewhere.
His strained relationship with assistant manager Carlos Queiroz also played a part.
Despite the bitter end, Keane was honoured with a testimonial against Celtic at Old Trafford on May 9, 2006, where he played a half for each team in the 1-0 win for United.
The match’s attendance, 69,591, remains a record for a testimonial in England.
Throughout his United career, Keane made 480 appearances for the Red Devils and netted 51 goals across all competitions.
He also clinched seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and one UEFA Champions League during his time at Old Trafford.
