‘I’ve had enough’ - Man Utd hero Roy Keane wanted to retire after Alan Shearer clash

Manchester United legend Roy Keane admitted that he seriously considered retiring after an infamous bust-up with Newcastle hero Alan Shearer in September 2001.

The Premier League icons, who were captaining their respective teams at St James’ Park that afternoon, clashed in the closing stages of the match.

Keane went to take a throw-in before being pushed by Shearer, whose side were leading 4-3. The Irish midfielder reacted by throwing the ball at Newcastle’s star striker.

The pair then exchanged words before Keane swung a punch at Shearer, who dodged it.

Referee Steve Bennett was right next to the incident and was left with no choice but to send Man Utd’s skipper off.

Keane, in typical Keane fashion, admitted that his big regret was not punching Shearer.

More surprisingly was the fact that Keane genuinely considered quitting the sport following the incident aged just 30.

“I lost my temper, we were losing 4-3, I think, in the last minute,” Keane said.

“If you’re going to get sent off, the worst thing is, I pushed him. If you’re going to get sent off you might as well punch him properly because you’re going to get the same punishment.

“You might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb. That’s what I was thinking afterwards. It was just a push. It was ridiculous.”

He added: “I was fed up and annoyed with myself. Especially after the match. The gaffer [Sir Alex Ferguson] never really had a go at me. I knew from his body language – ‘how much more, Roy?’

“I saw him the next day and I said ‘I’ve had enough’ – and I meant it.

“I came back that night and didn’t sleep a wink. I spoke to Theresa [his wife] when I got back and she said ‘You’re mad’. I said ‘I know that’.

“The next morning I went to see the gaffer he said ‘you’ll miss