Roy Keane and Manchester United's Top 12 Hard Men
Manchester United have benefitted from some wonderfully creative players throughout their history.
But behind them all were some aggressive, ferocious hard men making sure the attacking players weren't being kicked off the pitch.
Roy Keane's indiscretions, on and off the pitch, have been pored over again with the release of his new book. But he's not the only United hard man.
Here's a list of the top 12, with weight given to what they achieved at Old Trafford as well as their specific style of play.
12. Gabriel Heinze
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The sight of Gabriel Heinze flying into tackles made the Argentinian a firm fans' favourite after he arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in 2004.
But after losing his place at left-back to Patrice Evra, he tried to force through a move to Liverpool and, at least according to United fans, his reputation was ruined.
He was eventually allowed to leave for Real Madrid in the summer of 2007 in a bid to keep him away from Anfield.
11. Johnny Giles
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Johnny Giles is best known for his spell at Leeds United, but his career started at United where he played almost 100 league games between 1957 and 1963.
The Republic of Ireland international won the FA Cup at Old Trafford before leaving for Leeds in 1963, where his reputation as a midfield hard man developed further in partnership with Billy Bremner.
10. Paul Ince
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Other hard men waited for others to nickname them, but Paul Ince was United's self-appointed Guv'nor.
However, that shouldn't detract from his ability to run a midfield, a quality that won him two Premier League titles at United and 53 England caps.
His legacy at United is tainted by his move to Liverpool in 1997. But he was still a key part of United's title-winning teams in 1993 and 1994.
9. Nicky Butt
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Some of football's hard men are screamers and shouters. Nicky Butt isn't one of them, but that doesn't mean he was afraid to put his foot in.
A graduate from United's academy, he made 387 appearances in 12 seasons before signing for Newcastle United in 2004 as he went in search of regular first-team football.
His highlight at United was holding the midfield together in the 1999 Champions League final, with Roy Keane and Paul Scholes suspended.
8. Jaap Stam
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Some of United's hard men didn't really look the part. But Jaap Stam did. At 6'3", with wide shoulders and a bald head, Stam looked menacing.
But he didn't just look hard. He was hard to play against, too. He only spent three full seasons at United before he was surprisingly sold to Lazio, but he won the Premier League title in each of them.
7. Joe Jordan
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Signed from Leeds, Joe Jordan made 126 appearances for United between 1978 and 1981 before leaving for AC Milan.
A fearless forward, the Scottish international earned the nicknamed Jaws after losing his two front teeth. He scored 41 goals for United and was part of the team that lost to Arsenal in the 1979 FA Cup final.
6. Mark Hughes
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With 163 goals in 467 games during two spells at United, Mark Hughes was never considered a prolific goalscorer. But he was a nightmare for centre-halves to play against.
Whatever he lacked in goals, he more than made up for in fight and aggression. His Old Trafford career ended in 1995 after two Premier League titles and three FA Cup winners' medals.
5. Remi Moses
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Remi Moses played 199 times for United, but that number would have been a lot higher if his career hadn't been cut short by injury. Signed from West Bromwich Albion in 1981, he was forced to retire at 28 in 1989.
A combative midfielder born in Manchester, he missed the 1983 FA Cup final victory over Brighton through suspension.
4. Bryan Robson
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Bryan Robson was nicknamed Captain Marvel for his surging runs from midfield and his timely bursts into the box to score crucial goals.
But he also liked a tackle. It was part of his game that often left him on the treatment table. He would have won more than his 90 England caps if he hadn't be so willing to put his body on the line.
3. Nemanja Vidic
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As far as tough, uncompromising centre-halves go, Nemanja Vidic was one of United's best. Even his song was about how hard he was.
He made 300 appearances in eight-and-a-half years at Old Trafford and he will be remembered as being half of one of the club's most successful centre-back pairings alongside Rio Ferdinand.
2. Roy Keane
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The sight of Roy Keane ferociously defending his team-mates in the tunnel at Highbury will be the enduring memory of his days as a United hard man.
He was sent off a total of seven times in the Premier League. But he could play a bit as well.
He may not have played in the 1999 Champions League final because of suspension, but he played a big part in getting United there with his performance in the semi-final second leg against Juventus.
One of United's best captains and most effective leaders.
1. Nobby Stiles
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Nobby Stiles' United career ended in 1971 after nearly 400 appearances, two league titles, an FA Cup winners' medal and victory in the 1968 European Cup final.
He was also part of England's 1966 World Cup winning side. Small and slight but fearless, aggressive and tidy on the ball, he was an impressive and fearsome holding midfielder.
Stiles provided the steel to complement the grace and skill of George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law.
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