Roy Keane played a key part for one fellow Manchester United legend at Old Trafford and Sir Alex Ferguson served as a “special mentor” for the player.
The 53-year-old Manchester United legend had a prolific impact at Old Trafford and is widely regarded as one of the best Premier League captains of all time.
Roy Keane was a linchpin midfield influence for Sir Alex Ferguson and the no-nonsense Irishman excelled with his leadership skills both on the pitch and off it.
The Irish hardman first arrived at United in 1993 after the Red Devils dropped £3.75m – a then-British record transfer fee – to sign him from Nottingham Forest.
Keane made 479 appearances for United during his illustrious spell at Old Trafford and the former Nottingham Forest star scored 51 times and registered 41 assists.
The former United captain famously led Ferguson’s men to their iconic treble win in the 1998-99 season, including playing a key role in the Champions League run.
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TV pundit Roy Keane during the Emirates FA Cup semi-final match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on April 27, 2025, in London, England.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Roy Keane and two Man Utd legends deeply influenced Cristiano Ronaldo during the Portugal icon’s time at Sir Alex Ferguson
Roy Keane was in the tail end of his Manchester United playing spell when Sir Alex Ferguson signed Portugal and Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo in 2003.
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Cristiano Ronaldo impressed Ferguson during a friendly match between United and Sporting CP and the Red Devils bought him from the Portuguese club for £12.24m.
The 40-year-old Portuguese forward, who currently plays for Saudi Pro League outfit Al Nassr, shot to superstardom during his prolific first spell at Old Trafford.
Kleberson, who arrived in the same 2003 window as Ronaldo, insisted that Keane, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville had a big impact on his former United teammate.
“As soon as I saw that kid on the field, his dribbling, his technical quality, it’s amazing,” he told The Daily Mirror.
“But one thing is was how focused he was. He was really focused on the things he wanted to see, concentrated.
“He wants to get better quickly. He had a special mentor in Sir Alex Ferguson and he put him in the right direction.
“Ferdinand, Roy Keane and Gary Neville helped him to improve. But the strong mind he had at that time really impressed me.
“To see him score goals in a final for Portugal, that kid never stops.”
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What Kleberson noticed about Cristiano Ronaldo after the Man Utd legend arrived at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson
Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the best Premier League players of all time and is often placed in the so-called ‘GOAT’ debate in football with Lionel Messi.
Kleberson, who United signed from Brazilian side Atletico Paranaense, recalled his experience of arriving at the club alongside Red Devils legend Ronaldo.
“It’s so funny because when I get into Old Trafford to sign my contract, I remember I was on a table with a lot of agents,” he said.
“And then a young guy was there. I asked, ‘Who’s that kid?’ And it was Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I was told he played in a friendly game for Sporting vs United and he destroyed the game.
“Before Cristiano, they tried to bring Ronaldinho and I think, ‘Wow, that kid is probably special.’”
Ronaldo lifted the first of his five Ballon d’Or awards at United and three Premier Leagues, a Champions League, an FA Cup and two League Cups with the club.