Manchester United legend Roy Keane picks his all-time 11 for Manchester United, leaves Paul Scholes out

Sky Sports expert Roy Keane, after exploring a management career, shared his selections for the best Manchester United XI of the Premier League era.

His choices sparked some controversy, particularly with the omission of Paul Scholes, who is often celebrated as one of the greatest English midfielders in football history. Additionally, it was noteworthy that Sir Alex Ferguson was not included as the team's manager.

Robert Keane's Manchester United's all-time playing 11

Goalkeeper - PeterSchmeichel

The ex-Denmark international may not have always agreed with Keane, but he confidently selected the tall shot-stopper to be his choice for the position.

“He was very good. Not as good as everyone thought, but he was very, very good. I obviously have good memories of him. He was a good character in the dressing room. Me and Peter weren’t best of mates – actually far from it – but the most important thing is that I had huge respect for him and he produced in big moments and helped us get over the line in big matches," he said.

Right-Back: GaryNeville

“I give Nev a lot of stick but I will go with Nev. You have to have quality to do what Gary did. He was a very good player and a really good teammate. When those five or six come over to join training, you knew they were here to stay because they were really good players. I think Gary used to go to bed at half eight every evening and we would criticise him but he was a really top professional player. He properly loved the club and that came through," he added.

Centre-Back: JaapStam

“I could not leave Jaap Stam out. OK, he has not played as many games as the other lads but he was big and strong, brilliant one-v-ones. Did he have any real weaknesses? He could head it, he could leap, he could read the game, he was aggressive. He was a decent lad. I got on really well with him," Keane said.

Centre-Back: GaryPallister

“The other one was an issue but I have gone with Gary Pallister. Brucey was a brilliant player but you have to leave someone out. Rio was obviously a good athlete and read the game well but my relationship with Pally was pretty good as well," said Keane.

Left-Back: DenisIrwin

“Denis Irwin every day of the week. I roomed with him for Manchester United and Ireland. He could play at right-back, he was right-footed, but I have put him in at left-back. Brilliant trainer, rarely injured, turned up for all the big matches, good at set-pieces," added Keane.

RightWing: DavidBeckham

David Beckham is an incredibly talented player whose skills sometimes get overlooked due to his celebrity status. As noted by Keane, his ability to deliver precise passes was exceptional, benefiting his teammates both in England and throughout Europe.

“On the right side, I have to go with Becks. He was a brilliant player. Where do you start? He could get an assist, he could get you goals, he was good at set-pieces, he could run all day for you. He had to with Nev behind him. Becks was a bit younger, he was from London, he loved his gear, loved his cars. But what you look for from a young player, are they training properly and are they giving everything for the cause? Becks did that."

CentralMidfield: BryanRobson

Robert Keane left out Paul Scholes from his squad and added Bryan.

He said, "Bryan Robson has to go in there. Bryan was a great player for Manchester United, full of courage and scored some big goals for Manchester United when the club was not at its best. I played against Robbo a few times at Forest. It was difficult because he was tenacious."

CentralMidfield: PaulInce

“Incey was a very good player, maybe tarnished his United reputation with him playing for Liverpool or whatever. It was tough leaving Scholesy out and Butty, brilliant players and brilliant characters. But I just thought Incey in that first season I was there when we won the double, he was brilliant in midfield," he said.

LeftWing: RyanGiggs

“You cannot pick a Manchester United team and leave Giggsy out. When I hear managers talking about players being consistent then Giggsy has to go in. Giggsy was in the team before me and had a lot of commitments off the field, he was a superstar in a sense. But his priority was his football,” he said.

Forward: CristianoRonaldo

“When he came to United, he was still a kid. But you could just see the potential in him, the work rate, the desire. Did we all think he would go on and achieve the things he did in terms of the goals, the assists? No. But did we think he had a chance to become one of the greatest players ever? Yeah."

Forward: WayneRooney

“Wayne was a bit different. He had been at Everton and played a lot of games. He was chirpier, he was a Scouser. I would not say I took to him as quickly as Ronaldo. But you just knew he was going to be a brilliant player. I had one or two disagreements with him. He took the remote control to watch X-Factor when I was watching the rugby league. But that was great. You need those disagreements, to let off steam.”