Roy Keane has joked Gary Neville must have taken a 'bribe' after the ex-Manchester United defender owned up to a 'shocking' display against Newcastle United. The duo both started in the memorable contest at St James' Park in March 1996, where heroics from Peter Schmeichel and Eric Cantona's strike swung momentum in the title race away from the Magpies.
The Sky Sports pundits were joined by Jill Scott and Micah Richards in a Manchester derby-themed edition ahead of the FA Cup final. The Red Devils had already lifted the Carabao Cup this term after beating Eddie Howe's side in February, but tasted defeat at Wembley themselves at the hands of rivals Manchester City on Saturday.
Neville and Keane were tasked with selecting Manchester United's representatives for a combined eleven with City in the Premier League era. Selecting the midfield and frontline proved contentious, but Schmeichel in goal was agreed upon by all four pundits.
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The selection led Scott to recall one of the legendary goalkeeper's most famous performances for the club on that night on Tyneside. Schmeichel twice denied Les Ferdinand in one-and-ones in a dominant first-half display from Newcastle, with Cantona's strike after the interval proving decisive.
Neville was shifted into an unfamiliar centre-back role for the clash with the Magpies, and reflected upon his own display as well as Schmeichel's. The former full-back told the Overlap: "He was unbelievable against Newcastle that night. I mean, I was shocking that night, that first-half. I was centre-half."
Rather than looking to console his former team-mate, Keane agreed with Neville's assessment while joking that he must have been paid by Newcastle judging by his performance. The former Red Devils quipped: "Should have taken you off at half-time that night. Looked like you took a bribe from Newcastle!"
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