Roy Keane has insisted that Alex Ferguson’s “hairdryer” treatment never bothered him after he broke his silence to pay tribute to the Manchester United manager.

Keane, who played for Ferguson between 1993 and 2005, was more worried when his boss was silent. “The hairdryer never really bothered me, that was a nice gimmick that the media used. I always felt that when I played for him we just never wanted to let him down. I think that is what the great managers do. They know what buttons to press for players,” he said.

“He would just get a feel for what a certain player might need. Whether it be a pat on the back or players like me when we stepped out of line. I played for him for almost 500 games and when I became a senior player and what I felt the team wanted he always got that spot on. He had a feel for the group and what certain characters need.”

Keane said his former boss generally got it right. “He might have made one or two mistakes, particularly with me towards the end. But it takes nothing away from the fact that it was a privilege to play for him.”

Hairdryer
"Sometimes after big games that we lost it wasn't the hairdryer that would worry me, it was when the manager was quiet and we felt as players that we let him down

. . . so this hairdryer business never concerned me because I just felt that was losing a bit of anger which we all do. I remember one game, I was having a bad game and at half-time he just gave me one of those looks as if to say ‘come on Roy you can do better’. That hurt me more than any shouting, or bawling or roaring. So when you have that in a great manager you just feel that you have to go out and do your best for him and not let him down.”

Keane’s United career did not end on the best of terms with Ferguson, but he added: “That doesn’t take away from the fact that I have massive respect for him and what he has done as a manager. I was very lucky to have played under him, privileged that he brought me to the club. I was very lucky to have played under Brian Clough as well, but to have played under Alex Ferguson was absolutely fantastic and he will be a big loss. I was not surprised (by his decision to retire) and I wasn’t as shocked as everyone else has been. Listen, when you are 71 years of age, the modern player looks a lot harder work than when we played so again I wasn’t as surprised as everyone else . . . but I think he has made the right choice.”

Memories of him
After yesterday's match, Ryan Giggs said: "Sir Alex just said play the game and not the occasion

. . . The memories of him that stick out are when I was younger. When I was 13 playing for Salford Boys and looking to the sidelines and there was Sir Alex Ferguson watching.”

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic said: “It will be strange not to see him in the dressingroom. This is a big club and will always be a big club but it is sad after so many years, without him is going to be sad.”

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick said: “It’s been an emotional day for everyone. It was a strange feeling and it’s been like that all week . . . With the reception he got, it was amazing.”

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie said: “It’s an unbelievable day but a sad one as well. I had the honour to work with him for one year and it’s been an unbelievable year. He’s made such an impact on me. He may be the greatest manager ever and he’s such a nice person.”

Retiring Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes said: “It’s been a good day. We’ve won the game, that’s all that matters. We’ll celebrate tonight and hopefully in more years there will be more trophies for these players . . . I thought Sir Alex handled it well.”