Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Roy Keane, Manchester United, Celtic, Football
Ben McCrum
Roy Keane has explained the embarrassing reason why he will not be playing in Manchester United legends charity matches anytime soon.
On Saturday afternoon, Manchester United legends will travel to Glasgow to face Celtic legends in a charity match at the iconic Celtic Park.
Several of the club's most notable players will be competing in the match, which will be managed by former player and England international Bryan Robson.
The likes of Mikael Silvestre, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Louis Saha, Dimitar Berbatov and Nani, who is now available following his retirement in December, are all set to be involved.
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But one player who will not feature in the game, or any others in the near future, is Keane, and he's explained exactly why this is the case.
When considering the biggest names or legends who have ever played for United, it's not long before Keane would be mentioned.
The Irishman made 479 appearances for the Red Devils and captained from 1997 to 2005 before leaving to join Celtic, and yet he isn't set to feature in Saturday's match.
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But the reason why isn't necessarily one you might expect, as the United legend confessed that he simply isn't physically capable of playing in a charity match,
Speaking in an interview with YouTube channel Off The Ball in 2022, Keane admitted: "I'm not fit. I'm far from fit. My fitness levels are actually very, very embarrassing.
"Just because I've not put on loads of weight doesn't mean to say I'm fit. I wouldn't really be able to do any running.
"Put it this way, I've been invited a number of times over the last few years to play legends games or whatever you want to call it. I'd find it really difficult because I wouldn't be able to get around. Too many injury problems.
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"I try to have a decent diet and I'm obviously weary about putting on too much weight. But I certainly wouldn't be fit enough to go on any sort of run. I do a small bit of cycling but even that - I'm not exactly Sean Kelly."
However, that's not to say that Keane has never competed in football matches since his retirement back in 2006.
In 2018, the Irishman featured in a tribute match between United and the Republic of Ireland & Celtic Legends to honour Liam Miller, his former teammate and fellow Corkman who sadly passed away aged 36 following a battle with cancer.
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Keane was player/manager for the game, as 42,878 fans gave him a standing ovation as he replaced Ryan Giggs on the hour mark at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
The match eventually went to penalties after a 2-2 draw in normal time, and despite Keane having his effort saved by his fellow Irishman David Forde, his United side emerged victorious.