For any talented young player in the early 1990’s the choice between joining Manchester United or Blackburn Rovers was a tough one. Fergie's men were on their way to all out domination and had just secured their first league title in 26 years. Over the Pennines, Kenny Dalglish was building a frighteningly good young side that would eventually end a 67 year wait for a major trophy.
One player in the middle of this conundrum was Irishman Roy Keane. In the latest episode of Sky’s ‘Overlap on tour’ he describes shaking hands with Dalglish on a contract offer from Blackburn before turning them down after a phone call from Manchester United.
As Keane revealed, the Scot wasn't too pleased that he had reneged on the deal.
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"I did shake hands (on Blackburn deal) and I said, 'listen I'll come'. I think the contract was basically agreed."
"I went back to Ireland and I got a phonecall from (Manchester) United and that was the mistake I made as I said I would sign (for Blackburn Rovers) Obviously I have no regrets about United.
"But you (Kenny Dalglish) wern't too happy with me. Everyone thinks Kenny's a really nice guy. I always remember he rang me after word got out that I wasn't going to Blackburn and he said, 'listen I'm not happy, you shook hands.'
" I said, 'yeah I did, sorry Kenny, I'm going on my holidays tomorrow to Ayia Napa'. He said to me I swear, 'I'm gonna find you over there'.
"So for the next two weeks every bar I was in I was looking over my shoulder thinking, 'he's gonna come in and get me'.
Dalglish, when asked by his daughter and host Kelly Cates what he was going to do' said, "well, just sign the form".
Roy Keane went on to become a Manchester United legend winning seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League. Kenny Dalglish won the Premier League with Blackburn just two season's later.
