Roy Keane often disputes that his iconic performance against Juventus in the 1999 Champions League semi-final was his best ever showing for Manchester United.
But twenty years on Keane's former international and club teammate Denis Irwin says that his fellow Cork man was inspirational as United came from the brink to qualify for the Champions League final.
The Red Devils stuttered to a 1-1 draw in the opening leg at Old Trafford and found themselves facing elimination after they went 2-0 in the return leg.
United were in desperate need of a dig out, and one came their way after a header from their captain provided them with a vital lifeline.
Keane's performance on April 21 1999 is considered pivotal to the Manchester giants clawing their way back into the tie and advancing to the final.
Goals from Keane, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole after an early double from Filippo Inzaghi secured United a 2-3 victory on the night and sent them through as 4-3 winners on aggregate.
Recalling Keane's stunning performance, Denis Irwin told the Sunday World that his compatriot was unplayable on that faithful night.
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He said: "We were two goals down against one of the best teams we played against in that era and he pulled a rabbit out of the hat with a fantastic headed goal and then his performance was just fantastic.
"They had an incredible midfield with Davids, Deschamps and Zidane, but Keany took them all on that night and came out on top.
"He was just incredible and it was a tragedy that he couldn’t play in the final."
Keane of course missed the final against Bayern after he picked up an early yellow card that saw his suspended.
Irwin says that Swedish star Jesper Blomqvist feared the wrath of Keano after his wayward pass led to the midfielder's booking.
"Roy had a word with him on the field at the time, but I think Jesper thought more would come. A lot of the lads were wary of Roy and didn’t want to upset him, so poor Jesper probably feared what was coming to him."
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Keane will go head-to-head with Joe Hart in the Sky Sports studio on Wednesday night for the Manchester Derby.
The Corkman has been an open critic of the former England goalkeeper in the past and sparks could fly when the two sit down to discuss what may be a title deciding game at Old Trafford.
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