Roy Keane

Keane's reputation for confrontation can distract from his passing and reading of play. Manchester United's midfield relied on him to recover possession and then use it with purpose, keeping attacks supplied rather than treating a tackle as the end of his job. The 1999 semi-final in Turin remains a strong example of his influence under pressure, despite the booking that ruled him out of the final. He was a complete central midfielder with substantial defensive duties, not a one-function destroyer.