How the famous rant came about

In January 1996, Newcastle had a 12-point lead at the top of the table and looked odds-on to win their first league title for almost 70 years.

But then Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United stepped up a gear and began to erode the Magpies’ advantage, including a crucial 1-0 win at St James’ Park in early march courtesy of Eric Cantona’s strike.

With the Red Devils beginning to gain the upper hand in the closing stages of the season, Ferguson suggested teams like Nottingham Forest might not try as hard against Newcastle as they did against his team.

After victory at Leeds on April 29, Keegan cut loose on Sky:

When you do that with footballers like he said about Leeds, and when you do things like that about a man like Stuart Pearce... I’ve kept really quiet but I’ll tell you something, he went down in my estimations when he said that. We have not resorted to that. You can tell him now, we’re still fighting for this title and he’s got to go to Middlesbrough and get something. And I’ll tell you, honestly, I will love it if we beat them. Love it. But it really has got to me. I’ve voiced it live, not in front of the press or anywhere. I’m not even going to the press conference. But the battle is still on and Man United have not won this yet.” Sadly for Keegan, there wasn’t a happy ending. His side drew 1-1 at Nottingham Forest on May 2 and then 1-1 against Tottenham at home on the last day of the season, May 5. Manchester United went to Middlesbrough on the last day and won 3-0 to wrap up the title. They finished four points ahead of the secondplaced Toon.