Manchester United v Real Madrid: Is this why Gareth Southgate is afraid of Roy Keane?

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane was outspoken during ITV's coverage of last night's Champions League tie

Roy Keane stamps on Gareth Southgate (GETTY IMAGES)

Roy Keane infuriated Manchester United fans last night with his take on the Nani red card incident and has seen his name trending on Twitter ever since.

Joey Barton, another footballer not shy of controversy, is among those to have joined the debate on the social media site while former Manchester United captains have also disagreed with Keane.

Nani was sent off by referee Cuneyt Cakir after coming together with Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa in last night's Champions League tie in a decision many claim shaped the outcome of the result.

While many have criticised the Turkish referee, including Gary Neville, Keane surprised many by claiming it was the correct call.

The ITV pundit said: "I think the referee has actually made the right call. Everyone's upset about it and it's slightly unlucky, but it's dangerous play. Whether he meant it or not is irrelevant. It's dangerous play - it's a red card."

The former Manchester United captain added: "You have to be aware of other players on the pitch. Does he think he's going to have 20 yards to himself?

"Whether it's [a brave decision] or not, it's the right decision. Whether he meant it or not doesn't matter.

"Nani's a quick boy to go down anyway. He's not the bravest player on the planet."

Keane made the comments during last night's broadcast on ITV, while sitting alongside Gareth Southgate.

Barton posted a picture of an incident (above) from a 1995 FA Cup semi-final between United and Crystal Palace in which Keane stamped on Southgate, an action he was sent off for.

The picture was accompanied with the words: "I wonder why Gareth Southgate's petrified of Roy Keane on ITV's commentary? The mind boggles..."

Another former Manchester United captain, Bryan Robson, has also disagreed with Keane's take on last night's match: "I think the only person in the stadium who thought it was a sending off was Roy Keane."

Watch Keane and Southgate arguing over the Nani situation on ITV...