Man United Museum Tour: OT club reveal what happened to Roy Keane's shirt after THAT 1999 clash with Liverpool's Paul Ince

The memorable clash happened at Anfield in May 1999 when the rivalry between the two sides was its fiercest as both teams fought for supremacy.

To understand how significant that game is in Manchester United's history, here is how it was described by the peoplesperson.com whose author happens to be a United fan. I just hope you get the picture...

At kick off on 5 May 1999 at Anfield, Manchester United were a point behind league leaders Arsenal having played a game less.  The Reds were two weeks away from an FA Cup final and three from a European Cup final.  The Treble was on. We were on the very edge of something amazing and unique, and nerves were humming like a tuning fork with anticipation and excitement.

On the other hand, Liverpool were dog-paddling away at eighth in the table and had a poor record at home. The likes of Derby County had done the double over Liverpool.

A stranger to the rivalry could be forgiven for assuming that a full strength, high-flying United team (missing only Giggs and Berg on the day) would be at least slight favourites. But this was Liverpool. Everything intelligent in the way of an assumption goes out the window when it’s Liverpool.

With nothing else to play for, they had this – the opportunity to deny United a shot at the Treble.  To add to the dramatic narrative, Liverpool were captained that day by former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince, a man with an agenda.  An agenda with one item on it – Alex Ferguson.

David Elleray was the referee – he of the dubious penalty during the previous season’s Anfield meeting in December 1997.  The same Mr. Elleray who was so fond of doling out cards to United players that Roy Keane once said of him: “He should just book me in the tunnel and save time.”

From the whistle, Liverpool were quick and aggressive.  Tackles flew in but as the first half ticked by,  it was a calm United who began to assert control.  Then Roy Keane opened up the Liverpool defence,  pinged a back and forth with David Beckham, who aimed an exocet missile right at Dwight Yorke’s head on the far post.  There you go, Yorkie.  Cheers Becks. 1-0 United.

In the second half, Jamie Carragher fouled Jesper Blomqvist in the box (well, ‘foul’ would be a generous term for what was actually an attempt at removing Jesper’s liver with his studs).  As poor Jesper writhed on the turf for it seemed an eternity, Mr. Elleray pointed to the spot.  Hurrah.  As the players gathered around for the penalty, Keane said something uncomplimentary to Carragher and there was some jostling and pushing as the Liverpool players took exception to Roy’s evaluation of their young defender.

Jamie Redknapp insinuated himself into the situation, Keane told him in no uncertain terms to sling his hook. Paul Ince grabbed Roy’s shirt in his fist by way of telling him he shouldn’t talk to Jamie that way and Roy’s shirt ended up ripping right down the front. The club in an ongoing series on its Instagram account titled #MUMuseumTour, have now revealed the jersey has been in store in the club's museum the whole while.

The club revealed today that the jersey is currently in exhibition in their museum

Amid the excitement, Denis Irwin had to prepare to take the penalty. Good old reliable Denis. His kick was hard and true, although Friedel nearly got a glove to it. 2-0. Now Liverpool had to go for it.

As they swept forward in numbers, Leonhardsen stormed into the box.  Blomqvist made a neat sweep of the leg to rid him of the ball, Leonhardsen sprawled on his knees on the pitch. Then…Mr. Elleray pointed to the spot. What? Redknapp ceased poncing about long enough to smash it home. 1-2.

Then a second dose of injustice, thanks again to Mr. Elleray. With 15 minutes left, Carragher and Irwin were jostling for the ball, Denis played it down the line a split second after a whistle which he didn’t hear in the noise from the Anfield crowd.  Incredibly,  Elleray went to his pocket, flashed yellow and sent Denis off for a second bookable offence - Irwin would miss the FA Cup final.

Even with ten men, United didn’t stagger.  They played possession football but the lads were physically and mentally tired. Then the inevitable happened. After 88 minutes, as Schmeichel went wandering in a six yard box scramble, Paul Ince equalised into an open net. 2-2.
Ince went absolutely *mental* in his celebrations.  (It was a bit  frightening actually. The man had obviously been suffering in a world of pain.)

While Arsenal fans had a filled day mocking the Manchester club having beaten local rivals Tottenham some days before, at the end of the season, Roy Keane had led the Red Devils to a trebble. And the rest has remained history till this day.