Roy Keane played his final game for United six years ago last weekend – but the hurt of his swift Old Trafford exit still burns.
The former Reds captain broke his foot at Liverpool in September 2005 and then a month later sparked controversy with alleged criticism of team-mates after a 4-1 league defeat at Middlesbrough.
The MUTV interview was never aired but then, in the November, Keane’s United career ended abruptly following a reportedly acrimonious meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson and he left by ‘mutual consent’.
“When I left Manchester United, it hurt me. I had a disagreement with the manager,” said Keane.
“I went in at 9 and by ten past nine I was out. That really hurt me."
The breakdown of the relationship with the United manager shocked many who believed the pair were of the same mind and had a solid manager-captain bond.
“People misunderstood my relationship with the manager. They think I met him every morning for tea. It wasn't like that,” the Irishman added.
“He knew exactly what he wanted of me, and I knew it. He didn't have to say anything. That's why he got me, and when he made me captain, it was an honour for me to be captain of the greatest club in the world.”
Keane moved on to Celtic before mixed managerial stints at Sunderland and Ipswich.
The 40-year-old admits the United dressing room camaraderie has left a void.
“I miss the feeling of being with lads,” he added. “The feeling in the team bus after a big win, or even after a loss knowing you had given everything.
“I still keep in touch with most of the lads. Ruud (van Nistelrooy), Nicky Butt and the others.
“For me, it was an honour to play alongside some of these players. We had people in there you could go to war with.
“Sometimes when we had a big game, there was no need to say anything. You just looked in their eyes and you knew they were ready
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