Rio Ferdinand has revealed the brutal manner in which Sir Alex Ferguson axed Roy Keane from Manchester United in 2005.
The former United captain was one of the most influential figures in the club’s history, but his relationship with Ferguson deteriorated to the point where the Scot decided to part ways with the Irishman.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Ferdinand recalled the moment when Ferguson informed the squad of Keane’s departure.
“It was a shock,” Ferdinand said. “The way it was done was quite brutal. We were in the dressing room and the gaffer came in and said: ‘Right, Roy Keane is gone.’
“He didn’t say why, he didn’t say what had happened. He just said: ‘Roy Keane is gone.’ We were all like: ‘What?’ We were all shocked.”
Keane had been a key figure in United’s success in the 1990s and early 2000s, but his relationship with Ferguson had become strained in the months leading up to his departure.
The Irishman had been critical of some of his teammates in an interview with MUTV, and Ferguson decided to take action.
“It was a strange situation,” Ferdinand said. “Roy was a big character in the dressing room and he was a leader. He was a big influence on the team and it was strange to see him go.”
Keane’s departure marked the end of an era at United, and the club has struggled to replace his influence in the years since.
Ferdinand believes that Keane’s departure was a turning point for the club, and that it has taken United a long time to recover from the loss of such an influential figure.
“It was a big moment for the club,” he said. “It was a big moment for the dressing room. It was a big moment for the manager. It was a big moment for everyone.
“It was a big moment for the club and it took us a long time to recover from it.”
Keane went on to have a successful career at Celtic and then as a manager, but his departure from United was a sad end to a glittering career at Old Trafford.
Ferdinand believes that Keane’s influence on the club will never be forgotten, and that his legacy will live on for many years to come.
“Roy Keane will always be remembered as a Manchester United legend,” he said. “He was a great player and a great leader. He was a great captain and a great person.
“He will always be remembered as a Manchester United legend and his legacy will live on for many years to come.”
