Roberto Firmino has come back with a response to Roy Keane, after the former Manchester United captain was annoyed at the ‘hugging and kissing’ between some players ahead of United’s game with Liverpool.
Working for Sky Sports Keane, whose reputation as a hard man has continued after his playing career came to an end, was annoyed at pictures in the Old Trafford tunnel of Brazilian players of both teams greeting each other.
Firmino, who was one of the men involved along with Fabinho, Andreas Pereira and Fred, has hit-back at the criticism, telling ESPN Brazil, “I don’t want to create controversy with anyone.
“I find it quite normal before the game to greet each other, ask how they are doing. That’s all. Nothing more than that.
“But on the pitch, they aren’t friends, each one defends his club to the best of his ability. Then the rivalry increases on the pitch.”
After having a go at the players for ‘hugging and kissing’ the Irishman wouldn’t even accept that the game had changed since his day.
When asked by presenter Dave Jones the former Sunderland manager said, “The game hasn’t changed that much, the players have changed, the players have changed.
“You’re going to war and you’re hugging each other. Chat to them after the game – or maybe not even chat to them.”
One of Keane’s most iconic moments for United came in a pre-match confrontation with Patrick Vieira in the tunnel ahead of game against Arsenal at the Emirates.
The Red Devils’ captain became annoyed when he accused home players of ‘picking on’ Gary Neville, with Keane then pointing the finger at his opposite captain as they were about to go out on the pitch.
With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side generally lacking on the pitch this season there’s certainly some who would love to see the kind of passion the 48-year-old pundit used to show when he played for them.
SportBible
