'They weren't clean' - Keane and Neville question integrity of Italian teams 

A number of the sides in question and their playing staff were accused of taking performance enhancers during the early to mid-2000s. 

Gary Neville. Pic: Mike Egerton, PA Wire.

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has revealed his thoughts on some of the Italian sides he faced while competing for top European honours during the early to mid-2000s. 

Neville admitted he felt that a number of the Italian outfits they faced during that period "were not clean". Roy Keane - an integral part of the leadership group within those United teams - was in agreement with his former teammate and now fellow Sky Sports pundit.

A number of the sides in question and their playing staff were accused of taking performance enhancers at the time. 

"I think there were a few teams that we played against that were not clean, we said it at the time,” Neville told the Stick to Football podcast. "You can’t accuse people. We are not naming clubs but.... my point is when you look back at what came out after in cycling and other sports with doctors, you do think.

"We thought it at the time.

"Physically we were fit, we weren’t drinkers. That’s not right, there is something not right. I came off the pitch and I thought that’s not right, that’s not right I’m sorry.

"I know that a couple of the other lads in the mid-2000s thought exactly the same thing. That is the sort of thing for me where there are no excuses."

Keane concurred with Neville's thoughts on the matter. 

“When we played certain teams, you’d be coming off and I’d be absolutely shattered.

"I'd be looking at players I’d played against, a couple of Italian teams, and it looked like they hadn’t played a match.”

Keane also reflected on the topic of a suspended or injured captain coming onto the pitch to lift a trophy, while discussing United's 1999 Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich.

The Cork native missed the showpiece due to a suspension picked up in the semi-final.

Peter Schmeichel took the honour instead, but in retrospect, Neville believes Keane ought to have done so.

When I look back now, you should have lifted the trophy really first time that night. On the pitch," Neville said.

Keane's reply was definite: "Nah, I don't agree with that.

"I'm not against other people doing it, I know the rules have changed now I think you can't be suspended... I would have been really embarrassed, I would have been cringing, actually."