Keane confronts fan who was abusing him as Ipswich supporters shout ‘F*** YOU’

Roy Keane snapped back at an Ipswich fan who abused him just before returning to broadcast following Manchester United's 1-1 draw at Portman Road.

Keane, along with fellow Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp and Izzy Christiansen, received final instructions from producers to return from an ad break before the Man United legend headed out to confront a particular fan, who was left behind to stimulate him.

The former Man United captain, who managed Ipswich between 2009 and 2011, put down his microphone, put his hands in his pockets and walked towards the fan before a heated back-and-forth exchange ensued.

Many Ipswich fans spewed insults in Keane's direction, with one man in the top tier rushing forward to shout: 'F*** you Keane!'

Keane was escorted back to the broadcast by a member of the production team, while the fan seemed to enjoy getting out of the Sky pundit.

The former Republic of Ireland midfielder had a heated and tense relationship with some Ipswich supporters during his reign at the club. He once admitted that his feud with the fans spurred him on.

Before Keane became one of Sky Sports' most recognizable pundits, he forged a managerial career in the 2000s and early 2010s, initially coaching Sunderland for two years before moving to Portman Road in 2009.

At Ipswich, the now 53-year-old won just 28 of his 81 games, losing the same number and drawing 25, and fell to 21st in the Championship before being sacked in January 2011.

His heated post-match exchange comes just five months after an Arsenal fan was banned from watching football for three years after being convicted of headbutting Keane during a match at the Emirates.

Scott Law, 43, was put on trial after pleading not guilty to a charge of common assault in relation to an incident in which he and Keane clashed on September 3 last year.

The row started when Keane and fellow Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards were walking to do final match analysis after Arsenal's 3-1 win over Manchester United, the trial at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court heard.

Keane said he was 'in shock' by the attack. In evidence he told the court: 'There was a lot of noise and shouting, as you would expect at a football match.

'I was just walking and before I knew it I was hit. I felt the contact and fell back through a few doors.

'I definitely didn't expect it. The only way I can describe it is that I was in shock. I didn't expect it to happen, not when I was at my workplace.”

He said he suffered bruises on his chest and arms as a result of the incident.

Keane's clash with the Ipswich fan on Sunday came just after Ruben Amorim started his Red Devils reign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Ipswich.

Amorim, who started at Old Trafford last week as Erik ten Hag's permanent successor, got off to a dream start after Marcus Rashford coolly converted Amad Diallo's cross to put Man United ahead at Portman Road within two minutes.

Despite the fast start, the Red Devils struggled to break Ipswich in search of the crucial second goal, and Omari Hutchinson put the hosts back on level terms just before half-time with a stunning effort from outside the penalty area.