Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand dug out by Roy Keane in Cristiano Ronaldo argument

On Oct 22, 2022

Roy Keane cited Rio Ferdinand’s missed drugs test and claimed Paul Scholes once refused to play for Manchester United, while defending Cristiano Ronaldo.

Erik ten Hag jettisoned the Portuguese superstar from the United squad that drew 1-1 away to Chelsea. The Dutchman laid down the law for the Portuguese ace who reportedly refused to come on as a substitute in United’s 2-0 home victory over Tottenham Hotspur midweek.

He was also seen walking down the tunnel while the game was still on, before departing Old Trafford completely when his team-mates had not even returned to the dressing room. And Keane launched a staunch defence off the forward by claiming Ferdinand and Scholes were guilty of worse things.

“Gary, there’s players at Man United who have done a lot worse than what he’s done,” Keane said to Neville, after the United defender said Ronaldo should leave the club. “Where do you want me to get started? Scholesy, great lad… let me finish. Scholesy refused to play at Man United.

“We said nothing to him. Ronaldo will be fined for this, he’ll find his way back. Rio Ferdinand missed a drugs test, he got banned for eight months.”

Ferdinand was banned for eight months and fined £50,000 by the football association in 2003, after an independent tribunal found him guilty of misconduct when he failed to take the test. He was eventually reintegrated back into the squad by Sir Alex Ferguson and went on to cement himself as one of the club’s finest ever central defenders.

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Keane slammed Ferdinand and Scholes during his defence of Ronaldo
(Image: Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)

While Ronaldo is certainly mentioned in the same breath as Ferdinand and Scholes, when it comes to talking about the club’s greats, the former Real Madrid superstar is currently under a dark cloud. Ten Hag has only deployed Ronaldo in his starting eleven in two Premier League matches this season.

The 37-year-old appeared destined for the exit door in the summer transfer window, but no move was able to materialise before the window slammed shut. All eyes may well and truly be on Old Trafford again when the January market opens in two and a half months time.

But while Keane agreed with Neville, in regard to Ronaldo facing a punishment for his early departure from Old Trafford, he still believes the iconic No.7 should still be in the starting eleven. When told many United fans prefer their starting eleven without Ronaldo, Keane quickly replied, “”I couldn’t care less what fans think. I couldn’t care less. A lot of the fans haven’t got a clue what’s going on.”