FA Cup Final 1996

Vs Liverpool

Pre-captain’s armband, pre-skinhead, pre-cruciate injury, pre-Turin 1999. Roy Keane was a beast in 1995/96, for me, one his greatest and most overlooked seasons. Cantona got the goals & the acclaim throughout the Double winning campaign, rightly so, but Roy was a monster in midfield. Man of the Match most weeks. Typically non-stop box-to-box, he had to curb his attacking tendencies in the Cup Final against Liverpool and shield a somewhat patched up defensive back-four. But he was everywhere, mopping up, interceptions, 50-60 yard recovery runs, forward passing, taking the sting out when need be, smelling danger, making tackles. This is what a Man Utd midfielder at the highest level looks like.

Sir Alex Ferguson singled Keane out in his post-match interview as the best player on the pitch. BBC co-commentator Trevor Brooking named Keane Man of the Match.

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