Dion Dublin reveals Roy Keane's training test used to see if he could trust Man United teammates

Dion Dublin has revealed how Roy Keane would test players to ensure they were up to his standard in training at Manchester United.

The former United skipper had a reputation for being a tough taskmaster and would regularly hold his teammates to account. That wouldn't change whether it was in training or in a Premier League tussle.

Dublin explained how during practice matches at Carrington, Keane would purposefully play difficult passes into him to test his ability. That was so he could determine whether he could trust his new United teammate.

"What Roy Keane would do, when I signed for Manchester United, it was a practice match," he told The GAA Social. "I was playing centre forward, I've got [Gary] Pallister and Steve [Bruce] behind me trying to kick lumps out of me.

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"What happens with Roy Keane, he knows he has done it and I know what he's doing, he will bobble a ball into me. Horrible ball. I've got to get it down, fight Bruce, secure it and hold off your man.

"He's watching, he's watching four or five times. I held it up more often than not and showed off my strength. That's so when Roy Keane can see that I'm holding the ball, he can go past his man and gamble. If I'm not holding the ball, he has got to stay goal side.

"He was testing me, but as soon as I could control the ball, he could trust me and that's when the guard drops and that's when he smiles and he enjoys his football. He will not trust you until you can do your job to his standard. That's what he's like."

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