Rory McIlroy 'Would Pay' to See Sir Alex Ferguson Knock Roy Keane out

Rory McIlroy is used to delivering knockout blows to his opponents on the golf course, and he has told Bleacher Report that he would pay to see a knockout blow delivered by Sir Alex Ferguson on Roy Keane.

Keane was a stellar performer during his Manchester United career, but his relationship with Ferguson fractured towards the end of his time at Old Trafford, and the rift has in no way healed.

There have been verbal sparring sessions between the two, with Ferguson recently delivering a snub to Keane by writing in his book that he only managed four world-class players during his time at Old Trafford—and Keane did not make the cut.

Keane is unlikely to have lost much sleep over the snub, but the rift is well enough known to perk the attention of the world's No. 3 golfer.

McIlroy is a huge Manchester United fan and is also friends with Ferguson. And it would appear that the bond is strong enough to see the Ulsterman backing Ferguson to deliver a telling punch in a fantasy fight.

Asked how much money he would pay to see Ferguson and Keane lash on the gloves and meet in a ring, McIlroy told Bleacher Report at the Turkish Airlines Open in Belek: "I'd pay a lot of money to watch Alex Ferguson knock Roy Keane out."

Ferguson and Keane are part of United's past, but the present is also on McIlroy's radar.

United are fairly well placed in fourth place in the Premier League, but they are doing very little to wow their fans under Louis van Gaal. McIlroy has described the club under Van Gaal as a "process" and feels there is light at the end of the tunnel.

"The Premier League has been a bit weird this year, everyone is beating everyone," McIlroy told Bleacher Report. "I think it is a process.

"He has brought some great players in, I think Martial will be a great signing, he already is a great signing, and with the experience that they have got in there, I think they will be okay."

Wayne Rooney is hardly pulling up any trees in terms of his form, but McIlroy told us the club captain is his favourite Manchester United signing.

He was less complimentary about former Red Devil Eric Djemba-Djemba, while Keane is unlikely to be receiving a Christmas card this year.