Manchester United stars once pranked Roy Keane after the Irishman had spent £12,000 on a watch.
Former United star Lee Sharpe hilariously recounted how Keane accidentally overpaid £10,000 for a watch, before pleading with his team-mate to “not tell the lads”.
Keane and Sharpe shared a dressing room at United in the Nineties, after Keane completed a high-profile move to Old Trafford from Nottingham Forest back in 1993.
Sharpe has claimed he often “looked out for” Keane upon the Irishman’s arrival. However, that didn’t stop the winger from ribbing his new team after an error left Keane with a hefty bill to pay when shopping for a new Rolex.
Keane had sought out Sharpe’s help after being told the former England international knew someone in the jewellery business.
Sharpe explained on the Undr the Cosh podcast: “I took him in [to my jewellers in Manchester] after training.
"We went in this little room downstairs, had a cup of tea, the lad put 10 Rolex's out, he [Keane] said: 'I want a Rolex but I don't want one too big, my wrist is a bit skinny'.
"So he's tried on the Rolex's and they went: 'Which one do you reckon?' I said: 'Come on Keaney, the lads are waiting they're all in the pub, it was Tuesday afternoon, just buy a watch.'
"He said: 'Which one do you reckon?'"'Well I'm not really into gold jewellery but the gold one with the white face looks the best on you, gold Rolex Daytona.' I didn't even look at the prices because I wasn't buying.
"He's like: 'Yeah, I do like it'. Then he says to my mate, the jeweller: 'What do you reckon'. He says: 'Yeah, the gold one, I'm like Sharpey, I'm not into gold watches, but the gold one with the white face, it's the best watch there, suits your skin tone, right size face, that's the best watch.'
"So [Keane] goes: 'Alright, I'll have this one, here's my credit card, box it up, we'll finish this cup of tea and we'll go see the lads.' I said: 'Yeah, well done Keaney, good decision'."So the lad takes the watch up to clean it up and box it up with his credit card. He [Keane] goes: 'F***ing hell Sharpey, your man is a top man'. I'm thinking that's so unusual for Keaney to be talking good about someone that he doesn't know. I'm like: 'Yeah, he's a good lad, but why do you say that?'
"'Got a business, trying to make a profit, put 10 watches out there for me, and out of all of them he's told me to have the cheapest one.'
"I said: 'You're taking the p*** aren't you?' He went: 'Nah, £1200 for that watch'.
"I said: 'It's f***ing 12 grand you daft b******. What are you talking about?' His face went scarlet red - 'Whatever you do don't tell the lads. I've only just signed, they're going to think I'm a right flash b******. I went: 'Keaney, your secret is safe with me, don't worry'.
"[I put] photos of watches and clocks up in the dressing room the next morning and everyone [was] asking him the time. He got caned for it. I think he's still got it now - it's probably worth twice as much. He's out by over 10 grand. He said: 'Thank god my signing-on fee has gone otherwise my card would have bounced!'"
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