Football
Kevin Palmer 9y

Roy Keane: Ex-Man United players who work as pundits are 'like a mafia'

Roy Keane has launched a typically feisty attack on former Manchester United players who he claims are acting "like a mafia" in their roles ambassadors at Old Trafford or as pundits on the club's in-house television channel.

Former United captain Keane picked out Old Trafford greats Bryan Robson and Paddy Crerand for especially harsh criticism, as he spoke to an audience in Dublin at the latest event to promote his recently published autobiography, "The Second Half."

"When I look at United, there's just a lot of propaganda now," said Keane, in quotes appearing in the Guardian. "A lot of nonsense gets spoken, a lot of ex-players now work for the club, they are on contracts, ex-players from the '60s and '70s working for United and they always try to kid you on.

"That's why I took a step back from Man United. They're all decent lads, don't get me wrong, but it's almost like a mafia situation. ...

"People get swayed by Paddy Crerand. Paddy still thinks it's [1967]! United have lost 5-0: 'Ah, you know, they were great.' Paddy, come on, do me a favour. 'No, no, United were great.' No, they weren't! Why are you saying it?"

Keane was criticised by Robson when he suggested United midfielder Nani deserved a red card in what proved to be Sir Alex Ferguson's final game in the Champions League against Real Madrid in March 2013 and he used his public appearance in the Irish capital to set the record straight on that controversy.

"My opinion was Nani meant it, he saw the guy coming, and he definitely meant it," Keane said. "The guy deserved to be sent off, but I remember Robbo the next day. Robbo works for Man United. A great player he was, but he's employed by Man United, so he's got to comment on Man United, and what do you think he's going to say?

"'Keaney' -- and I can still remember saying him saying it like that -- 'Keaney was the only one at Old Trafford who thought it was a red card.' Well, the f----- referee thought it was a red card!"

Keane went on to say he was not "bitter and twisted" and did not intend for his book tour to be a mission to criticise anyone who has been negative towards him in the last few years, in a stage performance that was well received by his compatriots in Ireland.

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