Jason McAteer says Roy Keane would have 'ripped his head off' if Uriah Rennie had not come between the pair last month at the Stadium of Light.
Keane was dismissed for elbowing McAteer in the head late in the Premiership meeting between Sunderland and Manchester United.
The United captain started his three-match ban for incident at the weekend, with even Sir Alex Ferguson insisting Rennie had no alternative other than to send him off.
Rennie has been criticised for stepping between Keane and McAteer during their earlier confrontation, when McAteer took a wild swipe at his opponent.
Keane reacted angrily and McAteer admitted he was frightened about the consequences.
He told Ireland's Sunday Independent: "Uriah Rennie took some stick for stepping between us but I am thankful he did because Roy would have ripped my head off.
"I saw the referee going for the red card and shouted 'No, no, no'. I didn't want him sent off.
"As Roy was walking off, I couldn't believe it. I knew he was going to get even more stick. I couldn't understand why he had done it."
McAteer added: "I just wish he would shut up and do what he is best at.
"He has lost so many friends and admirers over this and I can't understand it.
"He must have to buy 10 bottles of Brasso from Tesco's every week just to shine all the medals in his trophy cabinet. But you can't take your medals to the pub with you.
"We are all going to be has-beens in a couple of years. That's all you are when you finish football and you can't talk to your medals then. You need friends.
"He has a lot of anger and frustration building up but I feel he is venting it in the wrong way."