There were plenty of debates to be had after another weekend of Premier League action, but few would have expected the playing talents of Roy Keane to be among them.
Yet, the former Manchester United captain was the subject of a bizarre discussion among TV pundits after Richard Keys questioned the midfielder's ability on the ball alongside the duo of Andy Gray and studio guest Jason McAteer.
The debate started after talks concerning Keane and his clashes with members of the Republic of Ireland squad in his role as assistant manager.
Gray raised a point over how some ex-players cannot transition into being good coaches because 'they can't understand why the players that they’re coaching, who are not as good as they were, can’t do the things that they could.'
That is when Keys stunned Gray and McAteer by questioning whether Keane was 'a great player? In the sense of…I’m talking of a Hoddle, or a creative type.'
McAteer offered Keys a way out by admitting he once shared the same view point only to change his mind having played alongside him while they were Republic of Ireland team-mates.
Gray soon joined McAteer in praising Keane's ability on the ball but Keys stuck to his guns suggesting that the likes of Peter Reid and Graeme Souness were better players.
Rio Ferdinand led the perhaps inevitable backlash on Twitter after beIN SPORTS posted the exchange on the social media site.
Ferdinand, who played alongside Keane at United between 2002 and 2005, simply posted 'Riiiiiiiiiiiiiichard' followed by a series of emojis that reflected his embarrassment of the subject.
Even rival fans leaped to the defence of Keane with one user claiming 'I'm a Man City fan and even ill admit Roy Keane was a great player I can’t wait until he sees this video.'
Another user added further weight to Keane's status as a great player by saying 'He [Keys] misses the point. Roy Keane's game was all about winning the ball, tackling, motivating his team mates and never saying die. He was probably one of the finest players ever in that role and world class at it.'
Red_devil-4ever
0
Best captain ever. A legend. Man Utd was very fortunate to have him. If he can motivate the whole team to play well, why can't he be a great coach?
iceyez
1
Keys can go to hell. Why even entertain a dumbass like
Yeoairty
0
I can tell you just started watching United in the 2008/2009s stick to what you know pls.
really just started watching man u, they have not taken their time to closely watch keane
radcdlno
0
Man Utd fans are so desperate with the current way they play...... that football from the same people from the 90s are still more interesting to watch.....
no team that lacks special moment unless they are formed now ...
radcdlno
0
but claiming Roy Keane wasn't great its stupid ...I remember him scoring that vital goal to initialize a remarkable comeback against juventus that header ...we went on to win 3-2 ...
radcdlno
0
Not undermining what Beckham has done, but your undervaluing of Keane is honestly pretty disgraceful. Beckham had a wide array of talents like his distribution but Keane was something else in the midfield. At least can we agree streets ahead of what United have now, in lazy Pogba?
I hope you aren't kidding beckam replaced cantona and made us forget him for a while that should be the debate cantona or beckam but surely not keane ...talking of pogba where i come from we believe you can either be busy on social media or busy on the pitch not both ...and now we all know where he belongs
Poadeilnoz
1
Roy is a commander in chiefs when it’s comes football soccer
anykowa
0
haha lol Keane over Beckham united captain though beckam became england captain in a era where Gerrard Johnterry and Ashy cole were favourite s... Beckam got nominated to ballon de war top 5 finalist though missing it....I. all time p.l finest midfielder nobody has managed to keep him out of squad .. a man who could win a match all by himself anytime ....get your stats right bro
Not undermining what Beckham has done, but your undervaluing of Keane is honestly pretty disgraceful. Beckham had a wide array of talents like his distribution but Keane was something else in the midfield. At least can we agree streets ahead of what United have now, in lazy Pogba?
radcdlno
2
Would take Keane over Beckham. Maybe you'll say I rate Keane too much but I never saw Beckham as someone as important as Keane. His forward running, his leadership skills, Keane was a massive player for us.
haha lol Keane over Beckham united captain though beckam became england captain in a era where Gerrard Johnterry and Ashy cole were favourite s... Beckam got nominated to ballon de war top 5 finalist though missing it....I. all time p.l finest midfielder nobody has managed to keep him out of squad .. a man who could win a match all by himself anytime ....get your stats right bro
Botswana7147075
0
He was a great. He poured his blood out for Man U in every game that he played. I liked him and his style of play
anykowa
0
I prefer scholes or beckam ahead of him ....that's talent plus hard work he was great but there were greater if you make p.l team of all time only idiots would exclude beckam and scholes ..keane is debatable ...though aggressive ahead of them
Would take Keane over Beckham. Maybe you'll say I rate Keane too much but I never saw Beckham as someone as important as Keane. His forward running, his leadership skills, Keane was a massive player for us.
radcdlno
0
You seem like someone that only started supporting recently, because you have no idea how Keane plays. Are you saying that Keane didn't carry his weight in that class midfield? What a joke. Keane is an absolutely incredible player and you're speaking absolutely out of your ass if you think differently.
I prefer scholes or beckam ahead of him ....that's talent plus hard work he was great but there were greater if you make p.l team of all time only idiots would exclude beckam and scholes ..keane is debatable ...though aggressive ahead of them
radcdlno
0
I can tell you just started watching United in the 2008/2009s stick to what you know pls.
ttg55gy5gg lol there us talent and there is hard work talent wise he was not even near scholes or beckam the crossing the vision goal scoring ....but his aggressiveness was the best ...
El-kap
0
to be frank as a united fan he was just a normal player but driven by aggression and passion he was a leader on and off the pitch ....that's y they vigorously had problems with viera ....To be frank he is not united greatest we all know that midfield was commanded by Beckham giggs and scholes ..those are my greatest guys Carrick was even cooler making people love him ...
I can tell you just started watching United in the 2008/2009s stick to what you know pls.
anykowa
2
to be frank as a united fan he was just a normal player but driven by aggression and passion he was a leader on and off the pitch ....that's y they vigorously had problems with viera ....To be frank he is not united greatest we all know that midfield was commanded by Beckham giggs and scholes ..those are my greatest guys Carrick was even cooler making people love him ...
You seem like someone that only started supporting recently, because you have no idea how Keane plays. Are you saying that Keane didn't carry his weight in that class midfield? What a joke. Keane is an absolutely incredible player and you're speaking absolutely out of your ass if you think differently.
Riddhiman
0
Why even care about a guy who's retired??
Cayklnr
0
whats them pare of pricks keys and gray doing on the tv they baned for life
radcdlno
3
to be frank as a united fan he was just a normal player but driven by aggression and passion he was a leader on and off the pitch ....that's y they vigorously had problems with viera ....To be frank he is not united greatest we all know that midfield was commanded by Beckham giggs and scholes ..those are my greatest guys Carrick was even cooler making people love him ...
Maycdny
1
I am a gunner but Keane was a great player,I never miss a game Keane Vs Patrick Veria they play with passion and love for their various clubs.
Runningman
1
Roy Keane is still a former footballer that I'll still love to see playing
anamal
0
The days when Keane, Scholes and Giggs shared a midfield, utterly dominant.
UFO000
0
Man Utd fans are so desperate with the current way they play...... that football from the same people from the 90s are still more interesting to watch.....
introduce
0
Keane or Pogba? Keane every day of the week for me.
puyueer
0
The good old days
Stephnine
0
The defence doubled up on Keane in that last photo.
takeoverae
0
That United team would put today's flops to shame.