Roy Keane's noteworthy career in quotes

Sir Alex Ferguson praising his game playing style

"It was the most emphatic display of selflessness I have seen on a football field. Pounding over every blade of grass, competing as if he would rather die of exhaustion than lose, he inspired all around him. I felt it was an honour to be associated with such a player."

Roy Keane in action during the Champions League semi-final

Manchester United had made it to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions league in 1999 and their first leg home tie against Juventus ended in 1-1 draw. Juventus were previous year's runner-ups, and knocking horns with them on their home turf was an extremely cumbersome job.

The Red Devils headed to Turin as underdogs and within 11 minutes found themselves two goals down. However, these are the moments when big players turn up and so did Keane. The Irishman refused to accept defeat and put in an unimaginably solid display which pumped adrenaline into the entire team.

Keane received a yellow card after a trip on Zidane which meant he would miss the finals even if United progressed, but it did not cease the midfielder from doing his job. His header in the 24th minute instigated United's comeback while goals from Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole made sure that they qualified for the finals.

Keano's performance against the Italian giants has been described as his finest hour in football and is considered amongst one of the best individual displays. Great players possess the propensity to change the course of a game and the Manchester United legend certainly proved that he was the man to be trusted when the going got tough.