- Man United were held to a draw by Ipswich in Ruben Amorim’s first match
- Shortly after the match, Roy Keane was seen having a furious clash with a fan
- Will Ruben Amorim be Man United’s saviour? LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Available wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes every Monday and Thursday
Roy Keane bit back at an Ipswich fan who was abusing him moments before he went back on air in the wake of Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at Portman Road.
Keane, along with fellow Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp and Izzy Christiansen, were receiving final instructions from producers to come back out of an ad-break before the Man United legend set off to confront one particular fan, who had stayed behind to goad him.
The former Man United captain, who managed Ipswich between 2009 and 2011, put down his microphone, placed his hands in his pockets and walked over to confront the fan directly before a heated back-and-forth ensued.
Many Ipswich fans spewed insults in Keane’s direction with one man in the upper tier rushing across to shout: ‘F*** you Keane!’
Keane was guided back to the broadcast by a member of the production team as the fan appeared to revel in getting a rise out of the Sky pundit.
The former Republic of Ireland midfielder held a heated and tense relationship with some Ipswich supporters during his reign at the club – and once admitted that his feud with the fans spurred him on.
Before becoming one of Sky Sports’ most recognisable pundits, Keane carved out a career in management during the 2000s and early 2010s, first coaching Sunderland for two years before moving to Portman Road in 2009.
At Ipswich, the now 53-year-old won just 28 of his 81 matches in charge, losing the same number and drawing 25, and dropped as low as 21st in the Championship prior to his dismissal back in January 2011.
His heated post-match exchange comes just five months after an Arsenal fan was banned from watching football for three years after being convicted of headbutting Keane at an Emirates match.
Scott Law, 43, went on trial after pleading not guilty to a charge of common assault in relation to an incident where he and Keane clashed on September 3 last year.
The fracas began when Keane and fellow Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards were walking to do the final match analysis after Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United, the trial at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court heard.
Keane said he was left ‘in shock’ by the assault. Giving evidence, he told the court: ‘There was lots of noise and shouting, as you would expect at a football match.
‘I was just walking and, before I knew it, I was hit. I felt the contact and fell back through some doors.
‘I was absolutely not expecting it. The only way I can describe it is that I was in shock. I didn’t expect it to happen, not when I was in my workplace.’
He said he suffered bruising on his chest and arms as a result of the incident.
Keane’s clash with the Ipswich fan on Sunday came moments after Ruben Amorim kicked off his Red Devils reign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Ipswich.
Amorim, who started at Old Trafford last week as Erik ten Hag’s permanent successor, enjoyed a dream start after Marcus Rashford coolly converted Amad Diallo’s cross to put Man United ahead inside two minutes at Portman Road.
Despite the fast start, the Red Devils struggled to break Ipswich down in search of the crucial second goal, and Omari Hutchinson fired the hosts back on level terms with a stunning effort from outside the penalty area just before half time.
Keane jokingly called for Amorim to change his tactics after Man United’s underwhelming first half on Sunday.
Amorim made three changes to XI that was named by former interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy before the international break.
The new United boss did not go for his preferred 4-3-3 formation, instead opting for a 3-4-2-1.
The new shape, which saw Rashford lead the line with Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes behind him, had Diogo Dalot and Diallo occupying the wing-back roles.
Speaking at the half-time break, the United legend referenced Rashford’s early goal and said: ‘Great start from United, bet the manager couldn’t believe it. United get a great start and then sit back and I’m thinking, what are you waiting for? Go after Ipswich.
‘But they sit back and give them a lot of encouragement and they certainly deserved their equaliser.
‘I’d go back to a 4-4-2, big striker up front,’ he joked, drawing a laugh from fellow pundit Redknapp.
Amorim’s second match in charge of the Red Devils comes against Norwegian outfit Glimt on Thursday in the Europa League.
