Manchester United’s treble winning captain has hit out at legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s treatment of United’s golden generation.
Keane was one of a number of players who were criticised by their former manager in his autobiography last year.
The Irish midfielder, whose own book was released this week, believes it is past time that somebody stands up to Sir Alex.
“I felt it was a bit harsh to criticise me or other players,” Keane told Football focus.
“We did OK for the club, won a few trophies and here is the manager criticising us all.
“A manager who has made millions of pounds out of us, got statues and stands named after him, and he thinks he can criticise us without anybody saying anything to him because he thinks he’s got all this power.
“I thought, ‘No, why should we sit back and listen to this nonsense?”
Keane was a driving force at the heart of one of Manchester United’s most successful team of all time during his twelve year stay.
However Ferguson has spoken about how Keane became an increasingly negative influence at the club before his move to Celtic in December 2005.
The pair no longer speak but Keane, now Paul Lambert’s assistant at Aston Villa, has said he would probably have a go at his former boss should he meet him in the future.
“Truthfully, I’d probably have a go at him. Yeah, why not?,” added the former Sunderland manager.
“What would I say? Why are you talking nonsense about us, talking rubbish about me and other lads who have done well?
“He’d probably defend himself, take a running jump as you’d expect but I don’t see why we should just accept it.
“I’m 43 years of age, am I supposed to be frightened of him? You’ve got to take them on. Football is a small world, so I’m sure we’ll cross each other, and I look forward to it.”
And the Irishman, who recently turned down the chance to return to his boyhood club Celtic as their manager, did not stop with Ferguson.
The former Ipswich boss has also lashed out at Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, labelling the Special One ‘a disgrace’.
His comments come after Mourinho attempted to shake hands with Lambert and Keane before full time during Aston Villa’s recent 3-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.
“It’s disgraceful, I’ve seen him doing it to other managers, it is a disgrace,” Keane said at his book launch in Dublin.
“The game is still going on. You wouldn’t do that on a Sunday morning, you would get knocked out.”
The former United midfielder is currently with the Republic of Ireland squad, where he is assistant manager, ahead of their upcoming qualifiers with Gibraltar and Germany.
Main image courtesy of Avtex Sports via YouTube, with thanks.
