Roy Keane Reveals How He Turned Down Liverpool Legend Kenny Dalglish to Sign for Man Utd
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has revealed that he earned just £300k-a-year, when he signed for the Red Devils back in 1993.
The Irish midfielder notched up 480 appearances for United over 13 seasons, winning an incredible seven Premier League titles and one Champions League crown along the way.
However, the ex-Republic of Ireland international could've joined Blackburn Rovers instead of Man Utd back in the early nineties in a record-breaking deal.
GERMANY - APRIL 09: FUSSBALL: Champions - League DORTMUND - MANCHESTER 1:0, Roy KEANE/Manchester 09.04.97 (Photo by Bongarts/Getty Images)
Bongarts/GettyImages
As quoted by Joe, Keane explained that he and the then Rovers manager Kenny Dalglish had made a verbal agreement, only to change his mind at the final hour and join United.
Speaking about his decision to snub Blackburn and Liverpool legend Dalglish, Keane said: "I was on about £250,000 (a year) at Forest, which was a good deal. Blackburn offered me four hundred (thousand a year),"
He added: "They [Man Utd] offered me three-hundred thousand a year,
1997: Profile of Roy Keane of Manchester United during a match. \ Mandatory Credit: Stu Forster/Allsport
Stu Forster/GettyImages
"It was important, because this is the business side of the football, and straight away I learned about Man United was that it is business, as well.
"I'm thinking, it's not a massive rise, especially considering it's going to be a transfer record. So, they stalled a little bit, and dragged their heels."
As a result, Keane accepted Man Utd's £350k-a-week offer and joined them from Nottingham Forest in a £3.75m deal.
However, a jilted Dalglish wasn't done there, and as Keane tells it, threatened 'to find' the midfielder.
"He was effing and blinding (on the phone), saying 'you're a f**king disgrace," Keane said.
"I said, 'listen, I'm going on me holidays next week', which I was, I was going to Cyprus with a few lads... just to do some sight seeing.
"'I'm going to Cyprus with me mates, and when I come back I'm going to sign for Man United'.
"He said: 'I'm going to find you. I'm going to come to Ayia Napa and find you. So, every bar in Ayia Napa, I was looking over my shoulder waiting for Kenny Dalglish to walk in."
