'I didn't speak to Roy Keane for entire Man Utd season but he found way to break the ice'

Posted Monday, April 03, 2023 by Dailystar.co.uk

Roy Keane stepped up to break the ice having gone a full season not talking to a Manchester United team-mate - while supporters were none the wiser until decades later

'I didn't speak to Roy Keane for entire Man Utd season but he found way to break the ice'
Manchester United's key players were not always pals off the pitch

Roy Keane stepped up to break the ice with Gary Pallister - having gone a full season without talking in a feud that spiralled out of control.

The Manchester United legends managed to keep separate from one another following an altercation which involved a few drinks - but the time frame between their reunion only became apparent recently.

With Pallister now explaining their tricky relationship at the time - he also explained how it was resolved before he rejoined Middlesbrough in 1998.

Speaking to Daily Star Sport in his role with AceOdds, Pallister said: "Oh, man. [laughs] Yeah, we kept that quiet for a long time, actually.

"We had a fallout in a pre-season tour. We were both stubborn enough. It was funny because we'd shake hands before a game and sort of laugh, but neither of us would break the ice. So we went through the whole season being like that.

"And then it was actually the year I left. I came back to get my stuff out of the Cliff, my boots and trainers and things like that. And he was walking down the corridor into the home dressing room when I was walking out.

'I didn't speak to Roy Keane for entire Man Utd season but he found way to break the ice'
Roy Keane stepped up to break the ice after the extended silence

"We start walking into each other and we both started laughing and he put his hands out and shook my hand and he just wished us all the best at Middlesborough, and that's how the ice was broke.

"I mean, we're fine now, but it was just weird. Neither of us would sort of be the first one to offer the hand up and say, right, let's be mates.

"Just stubbornness on both of our behalf, really, I think. But that's how it all panned out in the end."

'I didn't speak to Roy Keane for entire Man Utd season but he found way to break the ice'
Gary Pallister, who was worked as a Man Utd ambassador in retirement, is now good pals with Roy Keane

As mentioned, Pallister and Keane have been good pals ever since, with the former Republic of Ireland international mentioning their relationship while on The Overlap.

He said: "I had a fight with Pally [Gary Pallister] in Marbella, and I was with Pally a few weeks ago, great guy!

"I vaguely remember [Sir] Bobby Charlton opening the door and seeing me and him; I bet he was thinking f***ing hell! But I think we won the league that year, so it helped."