Former Manchester United captain, Roy Keane, joined current Republic of Ireland national football team manager Martin O'Neill at Woodlands Hotel in Ireland for a fundraiser for Waterford United FC; a Q&A followed at the end of the fundraiser.

The ever outspoken Keane has never been one to shy away from expressing his opinions and letting his beliefs be known. Wether it was during his playing days or now during his past time as a pundit, the Irishman has become known for his never ending stories.

The 43-year-old Keane released his first autobiography in 2002 which was ghost written by Eamon Dunphy. As a follow up, he released his second autobiography in October of 2014, titled The Second Half, which was ghost written by Roddy Doyle.

The audience at the Q&A wasted no time and went straight to asking about Manchester United. United’s struggles over the past couple years have been well documented, and who wouldn’t want to hear Keane’s thoughts on the current state the club is in.

“David Gill was a massive loss to United, also, United should sign Coleman and also break the bank and bring Pogba back from Juve.”

Keane, or as supporters like to call him, Keaneo, also cemented his belief and stood by his claim that ex-United manager, David Moyes, should have been given more time by the club to succeed legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Keane also believes that current manager Louis van Gaal should be given all the time he needs to bring the club back up to the standard supporters expect.

Keane is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s greatest ever midfielders, but when asked about the best player he had come up against during his 17-year playing career, he answered with “has to be Zidane.”

Keane was a rigid player during his days and never backed away from a challenge. However, in the modern game, “diving” has become a constant talking point and many former footballers have been asked about their opinion on the growing issue.

“Shocking at the moment, especially in the Premier League.” He also labelled Ashley Young as a “disgrace.” Young has been under heavy criticism over the years, both from the media and followers of the game, for simulation.

When asked about Ireland’s recent draw with Germany in a Euro 2016 qualifier and former teammate John O’Shea’s dramatic equalizer in stoppage time, Keane admitted he was surprised: “Everyone was celebrating the goal, I was celebrating the fact that we got over the half way line.”

One of Keane’s most recent jobs in football was the assistant manager role at Aston Villa before he quit to concentrate on his assistant managers role with Ireland. Keane mentioned he was “sorry to see Paul Lambert sacked” as Villa manager and that he “loved the club” and “found it frustrating at times” being the number two manager at the club. However, he reassured his belief that Villa will survive their current relegation battle.

It’s been no secret that Keane had trouble getting along with teammates and coaches over the years, and he’s made that clear on several occasions.

“I got on great with [Paul] Ince, [Steve] Bruce, and [Gary] Pallister.” However, he recalled the events he once had of a “bust up” once with a Pallister, which allegedly led to “Pally” throwing a punch at him.

In his autobiography, The Second Half, Keane claims that he and then United-keeper Peter Schmeichel had a coming together in a hotel during the 1998 tour of Asia.

Keane recalled the events of the brawl that supposedly left the keeper with a black-eye: “[Dennis] Irwin was terrified about being late for the bus” but all Keane was thinking about was finishing the fight.

United’s 1990’s teams Sir Alex Ferguson were special, but that doesn’t mean players couldn’t clash: “[Andy] Cole and [Teddy] Sheringham didn't get on at all, but on the pitch they put all their differences behind them for the 90 minutes.” 

Keane also spoke of Brian Clough, who brought him to Nottingham Forest where he began to make a name for himself as a 19-year-old. 

“I will always be grateful to him, he gave me my chance, he treated me very fair. He’d hate the way the game is gone now,” Keane stated.

Keane returned home to Ireland to conclude his playing career with Celtic, which ultimately lasted a year before his retirement was announced: “My spell as a player up there wasn't great, almost embarrassed as I had so many injuries, loved the dressing room though.”

“One of main reasons for joining Celtic was to experience games against Rangers.”

All quotes via: @leonard76_