The Confession of Roy Keane’s Drinking Habit at Manchester United
During his illustrious career at Manchester United, Roy Keane was known for his tenacity and leadership on the pitch. However, the former midfielder has now revealed a surprising aspect of his personal life during that time – his “absolutely disgraceful” drinking habit. In a recent interview on Sky Bet’s Stick to Football podcast, Keane admitted that he would regularly consume pints of alcohol for four consecutive days if there was no midweek match.
Keane’s confession sheds light on a different side of the football world and the drinking culture that existed in the sport during the 1990s. While he was highly successful on the pitch, winning multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and the Champions League, Keane believes that people would be shocked to hear about some of his behavior off the field.
The former Republic of Ireland international explained that his drinking routine would typically start on Saturday after a game and continue through Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. He would indulge in pints or whatever alcohol he was consuming at the time. However, Keane drew the line on Wednesday, showing a level of self-discipline.
Interestingly, Keane’s former teammate Gary Neville revealed that many players across different teams had similar drinking habits during that era. According to Neville, as long as players could all handle drinking ten pints, they were considered to be at the same fitness level. This suggests that excessive drinking was more common in football than previously thought.
When discussing how he managed to perform at a high level despite his drinking habit, Keane attributed it to his youth and playing in a talented team. Neville supported this theory, stating that all players were essentially doing the same thing, and it only changed when football began to professionalize in the mid-1990s. This period saw the introduction of nutritionists and a greater emphasis on off-the-pitch standards.
While Keane acknowledged the changes in the game, he humorously remarked that they didn’t affect him, as he continued his habits for a while. However, it is important to note that Keane’s career took a downturn after his departure from Manchester United due to a falling out with then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson. He had a brief stint at Celtic before retiring from playing on medical advice in 2006.
Since retiring, Keane has ventured into management with spells at Sunderland and Ipswich Town before transitioning into a successful career as a television pundit for Sky Sports. Known for his outspoken and frank opinions, Keane continues to be a prominent figure in the football world.
Roy Keane’s confession provides a unique insight into the drinking culture that existed in football during the 1990s. It challenges the perception of footballers as disciplined professionals and highlights the changes that have occurred within the sport. The interview serves as a reminder of the personal struggles and complexities that can exist behind the scenes of seemingly flawless careers.