Roy Keane’s Ultimate Man United XI.

Roy Keane’s Ultimate Manchester United Premier League XI: A Detailed Briefing

This briefing document summarises Roy Keane’s selections and rationale for his ultimate Manchester United Premier League XI, based on excerpts from “Roy Keane picks his ULTIMATE Man United Premier League XI 🤩 | Monday Night Football”. Keane emphasises not only technical ability but also character, professionalism, and the ability to perform in crucial moments.

Key Themes & Ideas

Emphasis on Character and Professionalism: Beyond pure talent, Keane consistently highlights the importance of a player’s character, work ethic, and ability to be a good teammate. He often describes chosen players as “brilliant character,” “good professional,” or someone who “turned up every day and put a shift in.”
Trust and Reliability: Keane values players he felt “comfortable with” and who would “produce at the important moments.” This is evident in his goalkeeper selection and his preference for players who could be relied upon in big matches and “in the trenches.”
Impact of Senior Players on Young Talent: Keane acknowledges the crucial role of established senior players in integrating and nurturing young talents like the “Class of ’92” and later, Ronaldo and Rooney. He states that with “five or six decent senior [players]… when these young Lads are coming through… You feel you’re obviously with a chance of winning trophies.”
Balance of Personality in the Dressing Room: Keane notes the necessity of “different characters in your dressing room” and even values disagreements or arguments as a way to “let off a bit of steam.”
Defining Success for Different Positions: While goals are key for strikers, Keane looks for consistency, work rate, and the ability to deliver in big moments for wingers and midfielders. For defenders, reliability, bravery, and one-on-one ability are paramount.
“They’re Here to Stay”: Keane recalls the immediate impression made by the emerging young players (like the Class of ’92) during training, recognising their talent, good backgrounds, and dedication.
Prioritising Football Above All Else: Despite players having “hobbies” or “other interests,” Keane’s ultimate criterion was whether their “priority at all times was their football at Man United.” He dismisses concerns about off-field distractions if players consistently perform and train properly.
Learning from Others: Keane highlights the impact of conversations with experienced players like Bryan Robson on his development, particularly in evolving his game from a goal-scoring midfielder to one more involved in build-up play.

Roy Keane’s Ultimate Manchester United Premier League XI

Formation: Not explicitly stated, but implies a traditional 4-4-2 or similar with two central midfielders and two wide players.

Goalkeeper:

Peter Schmeichel:Rationale: “He was very, very good,” “good memories with him,” “a good character in the dressing room.” Keane felt “comfortable with him behind you.” He highlights Schmeichel’s ability to “produce” when called upon, even if not frequently, due to the strength of the team.
Quote: “Peter had to go with Peter because because he was very very good not as good as everyone taught but it was very very good and good memories to good memories with him… the most important thing I had for Peter and all my teammates was a huge respect for him and he produced big moments and… helped us get over the line in some big matches so that’s that’s the bottom line.”

Defenders:

Right-Back: Gary Neville:Rationale: Despite jokingly giving Neville “stick,” Keane acknowledges him as a “very, very good player” and a “really good teammate.” He praises Neville’s “brilliant character” and “determination,” highlighting his professionalism: “he was a top professional player.”
Quote: “I’ll go with nav… Neville was a very, very good player, and you’re not a really good teammate, so I’ll go with nav… Gary was an excellent player, a really good Pr,o really looked after himself and went on to do very well, obviously with United and of course with England.”
Left-Back: Denis Irwin:Rationale: Keane’s immediate choice, citing Irwin’s consistency, versatility (could play right-back despite being left-footed), and reliability in big matches. “Brilliant trainer, very rarely injured, turned off for all the big matches.” Also noted as a “brilliant character” and “good fella.”
Quote: “Dennis Irwin every day of the week… You could play right back, he’s right-footed, but I’ll put him in at left back. Brilliant trainer, very rarely injured,d turned off for all the big match, es good at set pieces… brilliant character, some some good cracks together.”
Centre-Backs: Jaap Stam & Gary Pallister:Rationale: Keane describes this as the “hardest one.” Stam was a non-negotiable due to his physical and technical prowess: “big, strong, Brave, brilliant 1v1s.” He highlights Stam’s lack of weaknesses: “he could head it, he could leap, he could read the gam, he was strong, he was aggressive, he was a decent lad.” Pallister was chosen due to Keane’s good relationship with him and his qualities as a “very good player,” “big and strong.”
Quote (Stam): “I couldn’t leave Yap stand out, but I just couldn’t believe yeah okay the games wouldn’t be as managed other Lads but yeah it was big, strong, Brave, brilliant 1v1s… You know he was, he could head it, he could lead, he could read the game, same, he was sstronghe was aggressive, he was a decent lad.”
Quote (Pallister): “Pali was a very good player, of course that’s why he’s in the he’s in team, big and strong always looked he always looked tired,, I always looked exhausted, but no, I love him in the,,e I thought really good player.”

Midfielders:

Central Midfield: Bryan Robson & Paul Ince:Rationale: Keane immediately selects Robson for his “courage,” goals, and leadership during a challenging period for the club. He deeply admired Robson, even playing against him. Ince is chosen for his “brilliant” performances when Keane first joined, his ability “in the trenches” (heading, defending, scoring), and for being “a good teammate.” Keane dismisses the “Governor” nickname as “banter” and not reflective of Ince’s true character.
Quote (Robson): “Brian Robson has to go in there,y Brian was a great player for Man United, full of Courage he’s got, some big goals for the club when Man United were winding up their best… I think of Rob, I think courage great courage in terms of getting in the Box, picking up a lot of injuries, but dead brave brave.”
Quote (Ince): “I’m going to put um Poland I like because and she was a again another very very good player… and she was a really good teammate and I thought a very very good player tough leaving scores yet of course and Buddy brilliant players and Brilliant characters just as important but I thought NC when I first went to man united They just won the league… and she was brilliant Midfield.”
Wide Midfield/Wingers: Ryan Giggs & David Beckham:Rationale: Giggs is an undisputed choice for his consistency, longevity (“25 trophies 13… I think you have to go in”). Beckham is chosen for his “brilliant player” status and his dedication to football despite his public persona. Keane praises Beckham’s work ethic: “I didn’t care what Bex was doing good luck to him if that if I taught the cows and whatever else Museum was becoming a distraction then you’d pull a young player you go listen remember what your priority is but I don’t think I once ever fill up with backs about anything because I just thought he turned up every day and put a shift in.” He highlights Beckham’s unique crossing ability and understanding of the game.
Quote (Giggs): “You can’t pick Man United team and leave Giggsy out, so Giggs he goes in on the left-hand side… I think we hear when I hear a manager talking about players being consistent, I think you have to go in.”
Quote (Beckham): “I have to go back at our backs are a brilliant player again, and gigsy and backs in the dressing room, brilliant characters you can’t speak highly enough of them, they were consistent… I just go back to the David Beckham that I played with, and I was a player who walked out every day and gave everything for the cause, that’s it.”

Strikers:

Wayne Rooney & Cristiano Ronaldo:Rationale: This was a difficult decision, with many top strikers left out (Yorke, Cole, Cantona, Van Nistelrooy, Hughes, Solskjær). Keane ultimately chooses Rooney and Ronaldo for “what they achieved in the game” and their immense potential. Despite only playing with them for “a year too,” he “could just see the potential and what they went on to achieve.” He stresses that their “priority at all times was their football at Man United.” He notes Ronaldo’s “phenomenal” evolution from a step-over winger to a prolific goalscorer. Rooney’s arrival was “a bit different,” more established, but also dedicated.
Quote: “I have to go you’d have to go Ronaldo has to go on the team and and Wayne for what they achieved in the game I thought two I only played with Wayne and Ronaldo for a year too of course so you could just see the potential and what they went on to achieve.”
Quote (Ronaldo): “He’s become one of the greatest players of all time… his first two trades at United like Annie younger I think he came to United 17 i7 he’s still a kid but you could just see the potential in him the Walker the desire.”
Quote (Rooney): “I’d wanted to disagree with him, but that’s that’s good… he was chirpy, he was a skull, sir, he was. I wouldn’t say I talked to him as quickly knew he was going to be a brilliant player.”

Notable Exclusions and Keane’s Comments

Keane acknowledges the difficulty of leaving out many “brilliant players” and “brilliant characters.”

Goalkeepers: David de Gea, Edwin van der Sar.
Right-Backs: Wes Brown, Antonio Valencia, Rafael, Paul Parker.
Centre-Backs: Steve Bruce, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic (Bruce explicitly mentioned as a “brilliant character” but left out).
Central Midfielders: Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt (both described as “brilliant players and Brilliant characters” and a “tough leaving scores yet of course and Buddy”). Keane opted for Ince due to his impact when Keane first arrived and his “in the trenches” qualities.
Wide Players: Lee Sharpe (described as “a brilliant player” and “a big help to me”).
Strikers: Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Eric Cantona, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Mark Hughes, Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Keane expresses regret at leaving out Cantona (“brilliant lad… brilliant player… brilliant character”) and van Nistelrooy (“brilliant finisher”). He also hints at differing opinions on van Nistelrooy with Gary Neville.

Keane’s final thought on his chosen team: “I’m okay with that we’re entitled to that team yeah no I think I’ll put it you’ve got a chance and that’s all you want you get players turning up you’ve got goals in the team you’ve got characters you got a bit of hide physicality peace.