Cork man was incredibly shy, says former England defender Paul Parker says Roy Keane's straight-talking is ideal for TV punditry. Photo: PA Paul Parker spent five years at Old Trafford Roy Keane United So many words have been used to describe Roy Keane’s personality down the years, but shy has rarely been one of them. Abrasive, brash, unforgiving and ruthless would appear to more aptly fit the fiery image of the former Manchester United and Ireland captain.
Yet one of his former team-mates has a very different memory of the young Keane, who arrived at Old Trafford back in 1993. United manager Alex Ferguson paid a British record transfer fee of £3.75million to sign 22-year-old Keane from Nottingham Forest.
The dressing room he walked into was packed with personalities who forced him to recoil into his shell as he set out on a mission to prove himself with the biggest club in England. Captain Bryan Robson was still a hugely influential figure at United despite his advancing years, while Steve Bruce, Paul Ince and Mark Hughes were among the established stars who welcomed Ferguson’s latest signing into their tight-knit clan. Paul Parker spent five years at Old Trafford England defender Paul Parker was also in the room when Keane was introduced to the United squad for the first time – and his memories of the young midfielder offer a fascinating insight into how one of the most talked about Irish sportsmen of all-time ticks.
Keane’s time at United may have ended in predict.
