Roy Keane has finally had his say on what really happened when he confronted a fan following Manchester United‘s 1-1 draw at Ipswich last month.
The former United captain was at Portman Road to cover the match for Sky Sports as the Red Devils took on Ipswich, who he managed between 2009 and 2011.
During an advert break, a home fan started goading Keane from pitchside, which led to the Irishman going over to him as the pair exchanged words.
Keane was heard telling the fan to wait for him in the car park to discuss things further as things threatened to get heated. However, the 53-year-old has insisted that there was never any danger of him losing his cool, as he revealed the man did not show up afterwards anyway.
Speaking on the Stick To Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Keane said: ‘I wasn’t angry at the Ipswich Town game.
‘What happens when we’re doing matches is and the analysis is happening at the end of the match when fans can be up or down, whatever emotions they are feeling – and people think they can abuse you, and it seems to be a, “We’re supposed to accept that”.
Roy Keane confronted an Ipswich fan who was shouting at him after their draw with Man United last month
Keane was working for Sky at the time, and has now broken his silence to give his version of events
‘I went over to him twice – I said, “No problem, if you want to abuse me or if you want a discussion with me, well I’m working”. I went over to him twice at different stages and he was swearing in front of kids.
‘I said, “If you want to see me afterwards” – and people thought I was asking him for a [fight] – I said, “I’ll see you in the car park”. Where else was I going to see him? He wasn’t there!’
Footage of the animated conversation went viral, as it showed other supporters joining the man in insulting Keane, with one fan heard shouting ‘F*** you, Keane!’
It appears they were taking their anger out on Keane following his difficult 21-month spell in charge of the club which ended almost 14 years ago.
In his one full season on the touchline, Keane could only lead Ipswich to 15th place in the Championship.
He was then sacked in January 2011 after a poor first half of the campaign, and has not had a job in club management since.
Keane had fellow pundit Jamie Redknapp nearby as he confronted the fan, with security and Redknapp trying to ensure that the altercation did not get out of hand.
It is understood that Sky reviewed the footage of the incident before deciding not to take any action against Keane.
It appears the fan was angry at Keane for his spell in charge of Ipswich between 2009 and 2011, but the Irishman insisted he had every right to go over and confront the supporter
There was another unusual moment after the Ipswich vs Man United game, as popstar Ed Sheeran interrupted Ruben Amorim’s post-match interview to embrace Jamie Redknapp
He subsequently took his place in the Sky Sports studio the following weekend for Manchester City’s trip to Anfield to face Liverpool.
Keane’s argument with the fan was not the only unusual incident that happened after the stalemate between Ipswich and United.
That was also Ruben Amorim’s first game as United boss, and he spoke to Sky Sports at pitchside after the match.
However, his interview was interrupted by popstar Ed Sheeran joining the Sky crew to embrace Redknapp.
Sheeran, who is a huge Ipswich fan, later took to Instagram to apologise as he insisted he was unaware that Amorim was being interviewed.
He admitted he felt ‘a bit of a b****nd’ for stealing Amorim’s thunder, but the Portuguese manager later played down the misunderstanding as ‘nothing’.
Roy Keane was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet