Man United legend Roy Keane weighs in on guard of honour debate – after Rio Ferdinand labelled tradition ‘awkward’ ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Chelsea

Manchester United legend Roy Keane entered into the guard of honour debate as Liverpool prepare to receive one when they visit Chelsea on Sunday. 

The Reds clinched the Premier League title with four game remaining last week after thrashing Tottenham 5-1 at Anfield.

A long-standing Premier League tradition sees opposing players honour the new champions by applauding them onto the pitch before each game. 

And Keane, who was part of the Manchester United side that gave Chelsea a guard of honour in 2005, believes the gesture must be performed as a form of respect for the champions. 

‘To get respect have go to show respect,’ Keane said.

A lot of people might not like it but it’s part of the game. It would be different if it was real rivals, maybe Man City vs United. 

Keane was part of the Manchester United side that gave Chelsea a guard of honour in 2005

Liverpool can now bask in the glory of becoming champions after sealing the title last week

‘I think you have to do it, it’s part of the game, the respect. To get respect you have to show it. It works both ways.’ 

Keane’s comments come after former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch said he doesn’t why guard of honours are given and that it’s ’embarrassing’. 

‘I don’t like it. Maybe it shows respect but I just don’t get it. It’s embarrassing for the team that comes out and it’s entirely embarrassing for the team that claps them on the field. It’s not for me’, Crouch said on TNT Sports. 

Six-time Premier League champion Ferdinand agreed, saying: ‘I didn’t like it. I’ve been fortunate to receive the guard of honour and be on the receiving end of it. 

‘Both are quite awkward. Crouchy’s exactly right.’ 

Nevertheless, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has insisted Liverpool ‘deserve’ a guard of honour, with the west London club having also performed the gesture in 2020. 

‘Yes. It’s tradition. We have to do that, and we are going to do that. They won the Premier League, so they deserve it,’ Maresca said. 

Meanwhile, Blues defender Marc Cucurella mirrored the same views – but insists their show of respect will cease as soon as the first whistle goes. 

The Spaniard said: ‘They won the league. They deserve it. If we need to do it, we do it. This is before the game. Once the game starts, we go for our objectives.

‘We will fight with everything and for the three points. Hopefully we can have this as well in the next few years. It’s what we are fighting for and what we are trying to do.

‘It’s a good thing to have it (the guard of honour). I think if they ask me if we do it and we win the game, all of us would do it, easy. We need to do it because they won the league. Then when the game starts, we do our job.’