Scott bates

🚨 Roy Keane on Leeds supporters abusing Sir Alex Ferguson at Elland Road: “I saw the footage. They’re watching Leeds against Manchester United, and they’ve found an 84 year old man in the stands to shout abuse at. It’s embarrassing. Ferguson’s been retired for 13 years. And they’re still losing their heads when they see him. I understand the rivalry. I played in those games. Leeds hate United. Fine. But why are you still so angry with a man who hasn’t managed a club since 2013? And I think I know why. Leeds were champions of England. They’d beaten United to the title, they had Eric Cantona, and everything was looking good. Then came one of the most ridiculous transfers you’ll ever hear about. Leeds contacted Manchester United because they wanted Denis Irwin. United weren’t selling him. And somehow, during those conversations, Ferguson ended up asking about Cantona. Think about that. You ring your rivals trying to buy their defender, and end up selling them one of your best players instead. For about £1.2 million. I mean, what are you doing? And people blame Ferguson? What was he supposed to do? Tell Leeds to keep Cantona because they might regret it? He saw an opportunity and took it. That’s his job. The following season, United won the league. Their first title in 26 years. I joined that summer, in 1993. Eric was already a massive figure. Brilliant footballer. He had that arrogance, that personality. Ferguson understood him and got the best out of him. Eric won four Premier League titles with United. Four! Leeds sold him as champions of England and haven’t won the league since. And somehow Ferguson is the villain in their story. Their own club made the decision. Their own people agreed to the transfer. But 34 years later, they’re still shouting at the man who benefited. You couldn’t make it up. Ferguson went on to win 13 Premier League titles. 2 Champions Leagues. He kept building teams, winning trophies, replacing great players. Meanwhile, Leeds spent years outside the Premier League. People talk about this rivalry as though both clubs spent those years competing for the same trophies. They weren’t. And United at the moment are not in the best of form So you’d think this would be the perfect opportunity for Leeds to get one over on them. They had United at Elland Road on Sunday. Their ground. Their supporters. All that hostility. And what happened? A draw. Manchester United haven’t lost there since 2002. 24 years. So while they’re shouting at Ferguson, perhaps somebody should ask why their team still can’t beat United at Elland Road. That’s the bloody football they should worry about. And I don’t want to hear this nonsense about passion. Passion is getting behind your team. Passion is demanding performances and trophies. What does shouting abuse at an old man achieve? Ferguson doesn’t need to answer anybody at Leeds. He answered them for 26 years at Manchester United. The trophies are there. The records are there. I can imagine somebody like Patrice telling him, ‘Boss, the Leeds supporters still can’t stand you.’ He’d probably say, ‘And?’ What more is there to say? They can hate him all they want. He’s not losing any sleep over it. They should be more annoyed with the people who let Cantona leave. They wanted Denis Irwin. They lost Eric Cantona. Ferguson kept Irwin, signed Cantona, and built a dynasty. And 34 years later, Leeds supporters are still shouting his name. If that’s not getting the last laugh, I don’t know what is.”