Roy Keane disagrees with David Beckham over the impact of his Manchester United exit.
The former England captain left Old Trafford for Real Madrid back in 2003 after a big fall-out with legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson felt Beckham had got too big for his boots ever since his wedding to pop star wife Victoria four years earlier.
United ended up signing a young Cristiano Ronaldo as a replacement, with the Portugal international becoming an icon for the club.
Roy Keane and David Beckham both left Man Utd after falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson
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Speaking to Sky, Beckham said he felt his departure from United was best for himself - and also the team.
"When I was growing up I was a Manchester United fan, so all I ever wanted to do was play my whole career at United," he stated.
"But in all honesty, I now look back at it and think that decision that the manager made was the best one for Manchester United and me.
"I went on to play for unbelievable clubs with unbelievable players, and experienced things."
Beckham won just one La Liga title during his time in Spain, despite arriving as part of Real's 'Galactico' era.
He also won a league title in France, too, having spells at LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain prior to his retirement.
United ended up finishing third in the two years following Beckham's departure.
And Keane has rubbished his former team-mates' claims, admitting he felt they'd have been stronger with the 48-year-old despite Ronaldo coming in as a replacement.
"I don’t know if it was the best for Manchester United [selling David Beckham]," he stated.
"It ended up being brilliant for you [David Beckham] living in a new country and trying something else, but I certainly don’t think it was good for the dressing room.
"I’d say the same for when Paul Ince and the other lads left – when players go, you do think there is no logical reason for a player to leave at that time."
Keane would stay at United for another two years.
But he left in November 2005 after falling out with Ferguson over a club interview.
Keane ripped into United players in an interview with MUTV, with Darren Fletcher, Kieran Richardson and Alan Smith incurring his wrath.
After that the 52-year-old proceeded to join Celtic on a short-term deal.
Yet Keane has also confessed he regrets not playing abroad, outside of the UK.
"I wish I’d gone abroad," continued the Red Devils icon.
"My contract was up a couple of times and I had opportunities to leave on a free [transfer], and a part of me is jealous when I see other lads going abroad because it’s a great experience for your family.
"I was really happy at Manchester United, but if I knew it was going to end as it did, I definitely should have gone abroad and experienced a different league."
Keane previously said in 2014 that Real Madrid wanted him - but he turned down the offer after receiving it while sat on the toilet.
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Roy Keane regrets not playing abroad having left Man Utd for Celtic after his Old Trafford departure
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"Michael had given me a heads-up that Emilio Butragueno would be phoning, so I took my mobile phone everywhere with me," he said.
"And - how's your luck - he rang me while I was sitting on the toilet.
"He said: 'Look Roy, we'll be glad to have you.' The club's board just had to sanction the deal.
"I should have appreciated Real's offer more. It was the most attractive challenge in front of me but I didn't accept it.
"In hindsight, I should have said to myself: 'Go, go to Spain, live there for a year and a half, learn the language, learn the culture.'"
