The fan who reportedly confronted Roy Keane following Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town on Sunday has shared his version of events on social media.
Mail Sport exclusively revealed how Keane had snapped back at a fan who had been hurling abuse at him after the Premier League clash at Portman Road.
Keane was overheard inviting the fan to continue their argument out in the ‘car park’ moments after the game ended on Sunday afternoon.
The fan in question, Neil Finbow, later took to Facebook to describe the altercation – calling it his ‘new claim to fame.
Finbow wrote: ‘New claim to fame. Just been offered out into the car park by Roy Keane after a few choice words.’
He went on to add: ‘Even Jamie Redknapp had to come over to get him away. Just your average Sunday evening out.’
The fan who reportedly confronted Roy Keane following Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town on Sunday has shared his version of events on social media
Finbow went on to detail the exchange, writing: ‘I was reminding him that he set us back five years and ruined our football club. I also mentioned how he wasn’t fit to step foot anywhere near our ground [Portman Road].
‘Oh, and I mentioned about him walking out on a World Cup and breaking Haaland’s leg and putting it in his autobiography. I hate the bloke, and that’s been boiling up since he got sacked all those years ago.’
When another Facebook user commented on Finbow’s post, saying, ‘I can see why he offered you out in the car park now. But fair dos mate for having the b*lls,’ Finbow replied: ‘The truth hurts, mate. I feel sick when I look at him.’
He added in another response: ‘Few home truths thrown at him, he decided to bite. Very unprofessional. I’m sure he had worse when he was playing.’
The incident unfolded when Keane, alongside fellow Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp and Izzy Christiansen, was receiving instructions from producers to return to the broadcast following an ad break.
A video shared exclusively by Mail Sport captured the moment Keane, 53, set his microphone down, put his hands in his pockets, and approached the fan who was located in the stands.
A heated back-and-forth ensued, with Keane repeatedly inviting the fan to ‘wait and discuss it in the car park’ as more insults were directed his way.
The situation escalated as other Ipswich supporters joined in, with one individual from the upper tier shouting: ‘F*** you, Keane!’.
Keane holds a tense relationship with many Ipswich fans after his managerial spell at the club
The Manchester United legend joined Ipswich in 2009 and was later sacked in January 2011
A member of the Sky Sports production team eventually guided Keane back to the broadcast area as the fan appeared to relish provoking a reaction.
Redknapp also stepped in, exchanging a few words with the fan while a nearby steward attempted to diffuse the tension.
Keane’s tumultuous relationship with Ipswich Town fans stems from his stint as the club’s manager between 2009 and 2011.
During his tenure, Keane managed 81 games, winning 28, losing 28, and drawing 25. His side dropped as low as 21st in the Championship standings before he was sacked in January 2011.
Reflecting on his time at Ipswich, Keane has previously admitted that his ongoing feud with sections of the fanbase served as motivation during his time in charge.
Sunday’s confrontation with Finbow comes just months after another high-profile incident involving the Manchester United legend.
In September 2023, Arsenal fan Scott Law was convicted of headbutting Keane during a match at the Emirates Stadium.
Law was banned from attending football matches for three years after being found guilty of common assault at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court.
Ruben Amorim kicked off his Man United reign with a disappointing 1-1 draw at Portman Road
The Sky Sports pundit jokingly called for Amorim to change his tactics at half-time on Sunday
During that trial, Keane described the shock of being attacked while walking with fellow pundit Micah Richards to deliver post-match analysis:
‘There was lots of noise and shouting, as you would expect at a football match. I was just walking and, before I knew it, I was hit.
‘I felt the contact and fell back through some doors. I was absolutely not expecting it. The only way I can describe it is that I was in shock. I didn’t expect it to happen, not when I was in my workplace.’
Keane – who captained Manchester United during his playing days – revealed he suffered bruising to his chest and arms as a result of the assault.
The confrontation with the Ipswich fan came shortly after Manchester United’s new manager, Ruben Amorim, began his tenure with a disappointing 1-1 draw.
Amorim’s side got off to a flying start, with Marcus Rashford converting an Amad Diallo cross just two minutes in.
However, United’s momentum quickly fizzled out, and Ipswich equalised through Omari Hutchinson’s stunning strike from outside the penalty area before halftime.
Speaking at the break, Keane criticised United’s cautious approach after their early lead: ‘Great start from United, bet the manager couldn’t believe it. United get a great start and then sit back, and I’m thinking, what are you waiting for? Go after Ipswich.
‘But they sit back and give them a lot of encouragement, and they certainly deserved their equaliser. I’d go back to a 4-4-2, big striker up front,’ he joked.
