Roy Keane aims a dig at Sir Alex Ferguson for missing a Manchester derby in 2000

Roy Keane has taken a dig at legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for missing a Manchester derby in 2000 to go to his son’s wedding.

The outspoken midfielder played 13 seasons under Ferguson at Old Trafford but left on unsavoury terms in 2005 after criticising his teammates in an interview on the club’s in-house TV channel – MUTV.

Keane has held something of a grudge against his former boss ever since, and hit out at him again during a recent appearance on The Overlap.

With Keane and Gary Neville asked the final score of the first derby they started together in a quiz against Sportsmail’s Micah Richards and Jill Sott, they recalled a game in 2000 where Steve McClaren led the side in Ferguson’s absence.

Ferguson, who was always adamant that his players must put the club first, missed that fixture to attend his son’s wedding in South Africa. 

Roy Keane has taken a dig at legendary Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson 

He recalled the legendary boss missing a Manchester derby to attend his son’s wedding

When asked by Scott why the 13-time Premier League winner wasn’t at the game, Keane needed no invitation to aim a dig at his old manager.

The Sky pundit replied: ‘His son was getting married 

‘Because he always done what was right for Man United but he obviously went to his son’s wedding.’

His typically dry response brought laughs from the other guests before Neville attempted to get back to the question.

Ferguson’s absence in the game made little difference to United’s season, as they beat their rivals 1-0 thanks to a David Beckham goal and went on to win a third Premier League title in a row. 

The discussion of Manchester derbies came ahead of tomorrow’s game that will see United and City face one another in an FA Cup final for the first time.

Red Devils fans will be desperate to win tomorrow and prevent the Cityzens from emulating their famous treble in 1999, but Erik ten Hag insisted the game is about more than just spoiling their rivals’ season.

Roy Keane sarcastically joked the manager had ‘always done what was right for Man United’

Ferguson’s absence made little difference that year, as United went on to win their third league title in a row

He said ahead of the game: ‘It is not about stopping City. It is about us winning the cup. It’s a great opportunity.’

‘This is a good test for us. I think City have done a very good job. They play very good football so they deserve it but I don’t look at them.

‘Of course I look at our opponents but we look to ourselves and you have to see where you are as a club and from there you have to make progress and I think we did last season. Wembley is probably the best stadium in the world and to be there is very exciting.’

Ten Hag also revealed that Antony is expected to miss the game through injury, while Pep Guardiola confirmed back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will be starting the game.