Vieira went after weak link Neville
Millions of television viewers saw the fracas between Keane and Vieira unfold live just moments before kick-off in the crunch Premier League tie between Arsenal and Manchester United.
In an ITV4 documentary to be screened tonight entitled “Keane and Vieira — Best of Enemies”, Keane said he couldn’t stand idly by, as United captain, to allow his teammate Neville be intimidated by his opposite skipper.
“I heard you picking on Gary,” recalls Keane in conversation with Vieira. “You were picking on the weak link.”
The Frenchman insisted he only singled out Neville to berate due to his history of shackling another Gunner, Robert Pires, through any means necessary.
“I said to him (Neville) that if he touched Robert, I would come after him,” explained Vieira.
Keane, Ireland’s recently-appointed assistant manager, had a slightly sarcastic take on the bust-up.
“I had forgotten my captain’s armband,” said the Cork man.
“I can’t remember exactly what I said but it was probably along the lines of ‘excuse me, Patrick.”
It was the start of what turned out to be a miserable night for Vieira as they lost the game 4-2 and, with it, their title ambitions.
Still, he was glad the pre-match hostility didn’t continue into another of their tempestuous pitch battles.
Vieira reminded Keane: “‘You said to me ‘leave him alone’. I was expecting you to lose your temper on the pitch.”
“Thank God I didn’t,” retorted Keane. “I had a lot of hatred for Arsenal.”
Eighteen years on from that run-in, it’s evident from the broadcast that age has mellowed the pair who racked up a combined rap sheet of 21 red cards.
Vieira, in particular, has never dimmed in his admiration for his fellow television pundit Keane.
“If I was over you, we had a chance of winning the game,” the current Manchester City U21 manager recounted.
“I really loved fighting against you. I knew I had to be at my very best. I still have that respect for you. It was an honour playing against you.”
True to form, though, Keane wasn’t getting too sentimental about his former sparring partner, instead reaffirming his belief that the majority of those jousts ended in his favour.
“I’m convinced I dominated eight out of 10 games,” Keane insisted with a smile creeping across his mouth.
Meanwhile, Keane has decided against including club stalwart Ryan Giggs in his dream Manchester United team from his 12-year Old Trafford career.
Gary Neville was also overlooked for Paul Parker at right-back in another surprise choice.
“You know you don’t win league titles by having choir boys in your dressing room,” Keane said.
“These boys did challenge the manager in different ways. Becks (David Beckham) challenged the manager, but because you marry a certain woman doesn’t mean you’re challenging the manager. Far from it.
“Having a great career doesn’t mean you’re a great player, I think there is a big difference. I’m not saying Giggsy wasn’t... do I leave Ronaldo out? One of the world’s greatest players? Do I leave Becks out? I just couldn’t feel like I could leave Becks out.’
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