EPL: Rio Ferdinand blames Roy Keane for ‘killing’ midfielder’s career at Manchester Utd

Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, believes Roy Keane, ‘killed’ midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron’s career at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand believes Veron “might have flourished in a Man United shirt” if Keane had not been there.

The former England international was a former teammate with Keane and Veron during their time at Man United.

“He [Veron] was an unbelievable player, a great passer,” Ferdinand was quoted by Daily Mail as saying.

“The only thing I think that killed him was Roy Keane was probably a bit more of a dominant personality and was picking the ball up in his positions.

“You have to remember Veron came from Lazio, Parma where he was the main man, the whole game went through him. He came to United, that is what Roy Keane did.

“Keane came and got it off the defenders, passed it through to the midfielders and attackers, and got in positions and was very vocal, like “Yeah, give me the ball! Give me the ball!”

He added, “I honestly think without Roy Keane there he might have flourished in a Man United shirt. I think Roy Keane was his problem.

“And it wasn’t Roy Keane’s fault, it is just that his personality was bigger and more overpowering.”

Veron joined Man United in the summer of 2001 from Lazio for a fee of £28.1million.

Man United eventually cut their losses by selling Veron to Chelsea for £15m in 2003.

Veron eventually left England in 2007 and signed for Argentine side Estudiantes on a permanent transfer.