It was, in hindsight, a changing of the guard moment. Nottingham Forest, one of the great teams of the 1980s and managed by the great Brian Clough, were in an inexorable decline. They would eventually be relegated in the 1992-93 season, but before they were, they sold one of their greatest young prospects, Roy Keane, for a then-British record transfer fee.

Manchester United were the winners of the tug-of-war over the young Irish midfielder, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Keane developed into one of the best players of the Premier League era, but also into one of the most polemic. He divided opinions like no one else. Was he a master or was he a madman? Probably both.

In 2005, after an explosive interview with MUTV, Keane left Manchester United having won seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League winners' medal to boot.

But, 15 years to the day of that horror tackle on Alfie Haaland, the one that will live on in infamy, we're reminded of both how crazed the man was on a football pitch, but also how important he was to his team.

An unhinged lunatic, but also a leader and a worthy captain.

So to mark 15 years since that tackle, we've asked our writers to have their say. The question? Have Manchester United ever managed to replace their psychotic midfield general?

Francis Johnston

Roy Keane was a unique player, both in a positive and negative manner, with plenty who loved him and an equal number hating him. However, since the Irishman left Old Trafford, the bite of the team's midfield has not been anywhere near as apparent.

The Red Devils have had plenty of good players feature in the boiler room since, but no great ones - and Keane was one of the best to step out for the club.

It was his drive, determination and never-say-die attitude that spearheaded United's assault towards countless pieces of silverware - attributes that are sorely missing in Louis van Gaal's current contingent.

There will be things that Keane regrets, such as the breakdown in his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson, but his on-field exploits cannot be questioned.

United should mark the 15th anniversary of the Irishman's (horrendous) challenge by signing someone that can live up to his legacy.

Just who that is remains to be seen - with the game changing and players of Keane's ilk few and far between. Radja Nainggolan is the only candidate in world football I can think of that could potentially come close but even the all-action Belgian would likely falls short of the high standards set by the tempestuous Irishman.

Alex Hams

Yes & No

How can a team ever replace a player like Keane? I’m not sure there has been a player since that’s in any way like Keane, and I don’t think there will be another with football having entered a new era. Granted, Man United have not had that driving presence in midfield since he left, but they haven’t exactly been short of silverware in that time, and replaced him in an alternative way with players like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo leading by example, rather than by being vocal. Some have argued that Paul Pogba could have been the man, and in terms of being box-to-box there’s some bulk to that, but using letting him leave as a teenager as a stick with which to beat the club isn’t quite right.

Sam Cox

Manchester United’s failure to replace Roy Keane has been as detrimental as Arsenal’s failure to replace Patrick Vieira.

Alex Ferguson’s brilliance had managed to compensate for the loss of such a talismanic midfielder, but, in the post-Ferguson era, the club has looked hapless in the position that the Irishman dominated during his time at the club. Michael Carrick’s classy passing would’ve been even more effective had he had a partner in the mould of Keane.

Morgan Schneiderlin should prove that he can fill that role eventually, but the ex-Saint has struggled to nail down a regular place this season. [An ex-Saint alongside a bona fide sinner? Ed.]

Since Keane left, United have wasted millions on ordinary midfielders and they are continuing to pay the price for failing to replace such an iconic figure. Keane’s controversial personality seems to have caused some to forget just how significant a player he was.

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