#8 Roy Keane
Roy Keane was the beating heart of the Manchester United side that so many loved to hate in the late 90s, as they dominated England.
An absolute lynchpin of their 1999 treble-winning side and of several double-winning sides, Roy Keane was a powerful, brutal and intelligent midfielder who pulled up the level of every player around him. His fiery temper often got him over the edge at times, as proven by his powerful stamp on current England manager Gareth Southgate (which got him suspended for 3 matches) in the FA Cup. That was just one of 11 times he would be sent off for Alex Ferguson's side.
In 1997, Keane became the United captain but he injured himself trying to tackle Leeds United player Alf-Inge Haland, who thought he was faking it. Years later, Keane would exact what was an incredible revenge of the player, which would earn him a £150,000 fine.
He would go on to complete an impressive haul of 20 major honours and 2 big individual honours (FWA Footballer of the Year & PFA Players' Player of the Year 2000). His falling-out with the United hierarchy was just as unsavory as his exchange with Haland - but it's all in a days' work for the Republic of Ireland assistant manager.
“I’d waited long enough. I f***ing hit him hard. The ball was there (I think). Take that you c**t. And don’t ever stand over me sneering about fake injuries.” - On fouling Haland.
