Roy Keane explains how Peter Schmeichel was 'reluctant' to hand back captaincy

Schmeichel took over as Manchester United captain while Roy Keane was injured, and the Dane wasn't too happy when he was asked to give the captaincy back.

Roy Keane has explained how the issue between himself and Peter Schmeichel centred around Schmeichel's hesitancy to give back the captain's armband.

Schmeichel took over as United skipper during the 1997/1998 season when Keane was ruled out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury which he suffered against Leeds at the beginning of the season.

When Keane returned to full fitness the following Summer, Danish shot-stopper Schmeichel was reluctant to hand the captaincy back to Keane, with this hesitation leading to tension between the two men.

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“I was coming back from a crucial period, and Peter Schmeichel was reluctant to give back the captaincy, which added another level to it," Keane said in the latest episode of Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet.

"We were playing in Denmark and the manager said that he would leave Peter as is for pre-season because he was in his hometown. Then we played the charity shield, and you had a go after the match.

“I got the captaincy back in the end and that was it, but it was just the personalities. I just thought Peter would say that I was back after an injury, and I could have my captaincy back. But he was reluctant.”

*Roy Keane was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet

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