Roy Keane once vowed to never take part in a 'legends' match with other former Man Utd stars - but he made a surprising U-turn and returned to the pitch two years ago.
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Roy Keane featured for Man United in a legends match against Liverpool in 2022.
Roy Keane featured for Man United in a legends match against Liverpool in 2022.
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United icon Roy Keane - known for his hard-hitting style on the pitch - initially vowed never to join in 'legends' matches with other former players. However, he reversed his decision and proved that competitive edge didn't wane after hanging up his boots.
Across his career, Keane was the epitome of a tough-tackling midfielder, not only for United but also Nottingham Forest, and on the international stage with Ireland. Retirement often leads players to step back from their physical demands, something Keane hinted at when he spoke candidly about his fitness post-football.
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"I'm not fit. I'm far from fit," Keane admitted to Off The Ball in August 2022, "My fitness levels are actually very, very embarrassing. Just because I've not put on loads of weight doesn't mean to say I'm fit.
"I wouldn't really be able to do any running. Put it this way, I've been invited a number of times over these last few years to play legends games or whatever you want to call it.
"I'd find it really difficult, because I wouldn't be able to get around. Too many injury problems. I try to have a decent diet obviously and I'm wary of putting on too much weight, but I certainly wouldn't be fit enough to go on any sort of run," as per reports from The Mirror.
Despite his reservations, just one month later supporters saw Keane lace up his boots once more as he joined a team of United legends facing off against former Liverpool greats in a "Legends of the North" charity encounter.
Liverpool secured victory that day, with goals from Mark Gonzalez and Florent Sinama Pongolle. However, it was Keane's late appearance from the sub bench that drew attention.
Keane was persuaded to return to the pitch by former United colleague Denis Irwin. Despite being a usual target for jeers from Liverpool fans, he made his way on to the field with less than 15 minutes left.
When Ronny Johnsen tried to hand him the captain's armband, Keane refused, pushing his teammate away.
Several members of that Liverpool's legends team returned to action against Chelsea legends on Saturday - over two years after their previous Anfield match. Among them were goalkeepers Jerzy Dudek and Sander Westerveld, both of whom played against the Blues.
Champions League-winning goalkeeper Dudek started the match - marking 20 years since Liverpool's famous victory in Istanbul. His game was cut short due to injury, however, with former Dutch international Westerveld stepping in.