Roy Keane: Sir Alex Ferguson did not want David Beckham to be No 7

David Beckham: Wore United's No 7 shirt for six years

Sir Alex Ferguson tried to prevent David Beckham wearing Manchester United's famous No 7 shirt, according to Roy Keane.

Beckham inherited the shirt following Eric Cantona's retirement in 1997, joining the likes of George Best and Bryan Robson in United folklore.

But writing in his autobiography The Second Half, Keane claims Ferguson wanted him to take Cantona's shirt as well as his captaincy.

Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill is ignoring all the speculation around assistant manager Roy Keane's autobiography and concentrating on their match Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill is ignoring all the speculation around assistant manager Roy Keane's autobiography and concentrating on their match

"At United, '7' was the iconic number," Keane wrote. "When Eric Cantona left there was debate about who was going to be the next captain. I was quite relaxed about it. But there was his number, too - '7'.

"Bryan Robson had had it before Cantona and, of course, it went back to Georgie Best.

"The manager pulled me into his office and said that he wanted me to wear the '7'. I said, 'No, I'm not bothered.' And he said, 'I know Becks will want it and I don't want him to have it'."

Beckham went on to wear the shirt for six years until his departure for Real Madrid saw it pass to Cristiano Ronaldo.

He said, 'I've had enough of you. It's time we sorted this out.' So I said, 'OK,' and we had a fight. Keane on brawl with Peter Schmeichel

In a book packed full of talking points, Keane also says he regrets apologising to Ferguson over the notorious MUTV interview which hastened his acrimonious departure from Manchester United.

Ferguson criticised his former captain in his autobiography last year and Keane has hit back with a host of barbs and criticisms in his own book.

Keane says Ferguson was ill-advised to pursue a legal case against John Magnier and JP McManus over the stud fees from the Rock of Gibraltar racehorse.

And the former United captain effectively withdrew an apology he gave to Ferguson after the MUTV interview in which Keane was alleged to have criticised several of his team-mates.

"Now I kind of wish I hadn't (apologised). Afterwards I was thinking, 'I'm not sure why I apologised'. I just wanted to do the right thing," Keane said.

In his new book Roy Keane talks about his declining relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson and a bust up with Peter Schmeichel. In his new book Roy Keane talks about his declining relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson and a bust up with Peter Schmeichel.

Ferguson claimed Keane challenged his authority with the criticism of several members of the United squad, including Rio Ferdinand, Darren Fletcher and Alan Smith.

But Keane, who claims in the book that someone at United leaked details about the tape, says his criticisms were not harsh.

"The idea that I was in the studio ranting and raving, no... I was told the interview was being pulled. They couldn't believe what I had said. I didn't think it was too bad. I thought everyone was overreacting."