This story of Roy Keane berating Denis Irwin illustrates the 'mindset of a warrior'
Roy Keane was known for dispensing on-field rollickings to teammates but he rarely, if ever, scolded fellow Corkman Denis Irwin.
In a video for Keep It On The Deck, consultant sports psychologist Bill Beswick revealed how he witnessed an altercation between the pair on his first day at Manchester United's training ground.
Beswick, who worked with England, Derby, Middlesbrough and Sunderland, was at United between 1999 and 2001 saw firsthand what a competitor Keane was.
"The first day I went to Manchester United, I was watching eight versus eight possession," he said
"Roy Keane - who's a warrior, not just an athlete, not just a competitor but a warrior, the mindset of a warrior - his team have got possession.
"Denis Irwin has got the ball. He's looking up, he's trapped, he's going to lose the ball. Roy Keane makes a beautiful run and signals 'Denis!' where he wants the ball. Denis doesn't see him, doesn't hear him, doesn't respond and loses the ball.
"Roy Keane ran 40 yards to challenge his teammate: 'Get your head up.' I was shocked.
"I was stood next to Alex Ferguson, the manager of Manchester United. He said son, 'Now you know why we win on a Saturday. We win on a Saturday because we have the mindset to train every day."
Online Editors
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