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Rhys Thomas

Roy Keane reveals the two 'brilliant' Leeds United players as the toughest he ever faced

As the midfield enforcer of Sir Alex Ferguson's famous Manchester United team, Roy Keane has never been - and will never be - the most popular man at Elland Road.

After all, Ferguson once said: "I have always said Liverpool-Manchester United games are fierce in many aspects. Sometimes supporters can play a bad part in that particular game, but it never reaches the levels of Leeds United. Never."

Keane was often cast as a pantomime villain when on-duty in LS11, and the two sides enjoyed some ferocious games over the years in a rivalry that will finally be renewed this weekend when Leeds visit Old Trafford.

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Speaking to Sky last season, Keane reflected on who his toughest ever Premier League opponents were.

Though Keane and Leeds never saw eye-to-eye, the Irishman picked out former Elland Road heroes David Batty and Gary Speed as two of the best he ever faced.

"The Premiership years ago, David Batty and these players, Rob Lee would always give you a hard game." he said.

"Gary Speed god rest his soul. These were brilliant players. Honestly, they'd give you a tough game.

"Gary Speed was a tough player to go up against, and, Gary was pretty nasty, y'know. Batty was nasty.

"I always felt these boys, people always remember me kicking people, a lot of these lads were kicking me - I was just retaliating over the years!"

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