Roy Keane ‘sent me a mouthful’ when I told him I was snubbing joining him at Aston Villa, reveals ex-Man Utd star
FORMER Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley has revealed that he received a “mouthful” from Roy Keane after deciding to join Everton.
Cleverley, 34, joined Aston Villa on loan from United ahead of the 2014-15 season.
However, that was only after a proposed move to Everton fell through.
Before leaving on loan the midfielder spoke to Keane – who was assistant manager at Villa – about a move.
And when he eventually mentioned his talks with the Toffees, the United legend was left furious.
Speaking to Ben Foster on his Fozcast YouTube channel, the former United star said: “Before the Villa loan, I had been to Roy’s house because we lived very close to each other.
“He sold me the Villa project, he was assistant to Paul Lambert at the time, I really liked the idea of it.
“I was also speaking to Roberto Martinez at Everton, who I had worked with.
“I probably should have been a bit more transparent and said I was speaking to Everton as well.
“Anyway, I didn’t commit to Villa but I sort of said ‘oh yeah, I hope we can get things done’.”
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Cleverley then added: “Deadline day, I basically out of respect text Roy and said I’m gonna sign for Everton.
“He has sent me back a mouthful, not happy. Anyway, the deal between United and Everton fell through. I ended up going to Villa on loan.
“The next day, I trained at Villa. He weren’t there, he was with Ireland duty. So all the nervousness, I had to go through twice!
“I had to go through those ice-breakers again, but anyways, it was fine.”
Cleverley eventually swapped Old Trafford for Goodison Park in 2015 following a 15-year stint with the Red Devils.
He then joined Watford in 2017 before retiring this summer.
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