Keane names his best United Premier League XI
Former club captain Roy Keane has revealed the 11 players he would select in his best Manchester United XI of the Premier League era.
The midfield legend was a guest on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football show, which televised United's 3-0 win over Brentford in the UK, and after the full-time whistle, Keane was invited to share his team selection.
Given the Irishman won the Premier League seven times during his 12-year stint in M16, Keane was ideally placed to offer his verdict on United's players, having played alongside many of the potential options.
Nevertheless, Keane offered some interesting picks, and admitted he would "face the music" after leaving out several high-profile names!
Who made Keane's best United XI?
GallerySwipe through snaps of Roy's 11 picks from the Premier League era.
In goal, Keano opted for Danish legend Peter Schmeichel, who was our first-choice keeper for the first six years of Roy's United career.
In defence, Gary Neville was preferred at right-back, while Keane's fellow Corkonian, Denis Irwin, slotted in at left-back.
The two centre-backs were Jaap Stam and Gary Pallister – even though Keane admitted to having a fight with the latter during a trip to Marbella!
In midfield came arguably the most controversial selection, where Paul Scholes was overlooked in favour of Bryan Robson and Paul Ince.
Keane admitted that Ince had soured his reputation with United fans by signing for Liverpool a few years after leaving Old Trafford, but was keen to stress what a wonderful presence he was in our first two title-winning teams of the Premier League era.
In the wide areas, Class of ’92 legends David Beckham and Ryan Giggs were the choices, and Keane praised the pair for always focusing on their football, despite the attention and scrutiny they garnered due to their superstar status.
90 in 20: United v Brentford Video
90 in 20: United v Brentford
Extended highlights of our clash with the Bees are available to watch now...
In attack there was more controversy, as Eric Cantona and Ruud van Nistelrooy were left out, as were Treble heroes Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole.
But Keane said he could not look further than Wayne Rooney – United's all-time top goalscorer – and Cristiano Ronaldo – who is still going strong at the age of 37.
Even though Roy only played with Ronaldo for two full seasons and Rooney for one, their subsequent achievements ensured they were preferred to a catalogue of much-admired United forwards.
ROY KEANE'S BEST UNITED XI (PREMIER LEAGUE ERA)
Peter Schmeichel; Gary Neville, Jaap Stam, Gary Pallister, Denis Irwin; David Beckham, Paul Ince, Bryan Robson, Ryan Giggs; Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo.
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