Roy Keane

Say MUCH LESS. He's reportedly on £75k a week or thereabouts. That's four good players for an old man with a bad temper and a dodgy hip.

The programme was recorded at United's training complex at Carrington on Monday lunchtime, the injured United captain giving his verdict on the debacle at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday evening, but United hierarchy pulled the show as the Irishman laid in to more than one first team regular with amazing vitriol.

I would instantly sack Keane and get him away from the club. Has Keane never played a bad game? You'd think that all of MUFC's success over the years was singlehandedly down to Keane. What about Giggs, Scholes, Schmichael, Cantona etc etc? I have absolutely no respect for this kind of sniping from the sidelines. Ferguson and the club need to stick with the players they have and try and work on correcting the problems. Stick together and work it out. Why doesn't Keane get in there and help to put things right? Because he's a whinging self-serving cunt, that's why. Look at his track record - a series of pathetic disputes about money or the affrontery of having to play with players who aren't in his class. He might have been the best midfielder in the country 7 years ago, but for the last 3 or 4 he's been living on reputation - slow, limited and half-crocked. He was good once though, I'll give him that.

Of course Ferguson won't kick him out.

A Year On

Review from northerner about Stam, Jaap, 09.09.02
Author's product rating
Advantages World Class Defender
Disadvantages Abrupt departure

Summary:
Full review
Amid the fallout from Roy Keane’s literary efforts, the controversy surrounding Old Traffords last would be author remains unclear. Although Manchester United have rightfully suggested that no player will now be allowed permission to write an autobiography whilst at the club, the situation surrounding the sale of Jaap Stam has yet to be resolved. A number of different explanations were offered at the time, but the fans are still unclear as to why the club sold their based defender at such short notice, without a reasonable explanation for such an abrupt transfer.

The first explanation, provided by the club, is that Stam had failed to recover sufficiently from an operation on his achilles tendon, and was no longer playing at the level the club expected of him. Laurent Blanc, persistently pursued by the club, had recently become available, and with the progress of Wes Brown and John O’Shea, Stam would no longer be a first choice, and the chance to recoup £15m to offset the cost of the summer transfers was seen as good business. However, the timing of the transfer makes this explanation seem unlikely. If the club really had intended to replace Stam, then it would have made sense to conduct the transfer before the season started, not rushing to beat the European transfer deadline. Suggesting that Stam was sold because he was no longer needed at the club is about as credible as the argument that Rio Ferdiand was signed by Leeds as a stop-gap.

The second explanation is one constructed from various sources within the club, which suggest Stam’s sale may have been the result of a serious of misunderstandings. After media attention surrounding his book, Stam believed he may have damaged his relationship with the club, so instructed his agent to investigate possible moves away from England if the situation became worse. The United board soon found out that an agent acting for Stam had been touting possible interest in his client, and mistakenly believed that Stam wanted a move away from the club. The board decided that is Stam was to leave, it would be on their terms, and also began to investigate possible moves. Having recently signed Veron form Lazio, United had a good relationship with the Italian club, and soon agreed a transfer, which Stam had little chance of rejecting. As an explanation, this has credibility, as misunderstandings between players, agents and clubs are common. However, it is unlikely both that Stam would have believed his comments would force him to leave the club, and that United would transfer a player before verifying rumours of him looking to leave the club.

The third explanation, provided by the media, is that comments made in Stam’s autobiography caused concern within the club, and the decision was made to offload the player. Comments concerning team mates were insulting, but light hearted. However, comments regarding European opposition, and a suggestion that Manchester United made an illegal approach for him whilst at PSV, were potentially damaging and hence the club were forced to transfer him. As the timing between the release of his book, and his transfer were coincident, it was the easy option to conclude that the book was the course of the dispute. However, it seems highly unlikely that Manchester United would offload their best defender simply for a few out of place remarks. Although a simple explanation, it seems that it lacks any real substance.

The fourth possible explanation, and possibly the most credible, came to light after the transfer had been completed, and Stam had begun his career at Lazio. After a routine drug test, Stam was found to have taken nandralone, and was subsequently banned for 6 months. This was one a series of bans, mostly Dutch players, for taking banned substances. Allegations has been made that The Holland squad for Euro 2000 had been taking dietary supplements that may have contained banned sub stances. Following bans for Davids and DeBoer, many clubs instructed their medical staff to test any Dutch players in their squad. It has become apparent that Manchester United probably tested both Van Nistlerooy and Stam, although the results were withheld. It is now suggested that Manchester United, on discovering that Stam tested positive, were aware that it was only a matter of time before the player was officially tested, and given a lengthy ban. The decision was taken that a replacement for Stam would have to be found, and that Laurent Blanc could lead the defence until a younger replacement was found. This relies on the assumption that Lazio didn’t conduct their own medical tests, although the proximity of the transfer deadline may have forced the club to perform a medical quickly. If this is the explanation why Stam was transferred to Lazio, and initially it is highly plausible, it is obvious that the club would look to withhold the information, and suggest alternative reasons for the move. The controversy over Jaap’s book may have helped the club conceal the truth surrounding the deal, which may have damaged the club’s reputation.

The impact of Stam’s sale on the Manchester United defence caused much interest within the football world. Stam was undoubtedly the based individual defender in the squad, and one of the best centre backs in the world. However, legitimate doubts were raised over his ability to play within a defensive unit, and to provide leadership to the younger members of the defence. Laurent Blanc was seen as a vastly experienced defender who could organise the defence for a season before a younger defender could be brought in to build to the defence around. However, to suggest that the sale of Stam was the reason why Manchester United failed to retain the Premiership title is both inaccurate and unfounded. Firstly, although of the top 6 sides, only Newcastle conceded more goals, it was United’ s failure to score goals that cost them the title. United failed to secure a record fourth successive title because they lost 6 games at home, failing to score in all six games, and losing five of them 1-0. Arsenal won the title because they scored in every game, home and away, not because they had a better defensive record. Equally, the claim that keeping Stam at the club would have improved that defensive record are inaccurate. Blanc had an excellent season, providing the leadership that had previously been missed. United conceded goals because of injuries that made it impossible to get a settled defence, with 17 different centre back pairings over the course of the season, and the attacking style of play which provides little cover for the defence.

Ultimately, it is still unclear why Jaap Stam’s career at Old Trafford was abruptly ended. If the club were aware that Stam would test positive if he was officially sampled, then it is in their best interests not to disclose that they offloaded a player knowing he would test positive for a banned substance. United have moved on, brining in Blanc who had an excellent first season, and subsequently signing one of the most promising centre backs in the world in Rio Ferdinand. Stam has struggled in the unsettled atmosphere of Lazio amid financial difficulties and his drugs ban. The real explanation for Stam’s sale to Lazio, along with the £15m owed to Manchester United, is uncertain.

On another occasion Keane is described as having "lost it" when he saw Ruud van Nistelrooy combing his hair before an interview with MUTV at the club's training ground.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1627340,00.html

My favourite bit in the book was when he threw a strop about everyone eating unhealthy cheese sandwiches then stormed up to his room and ordered a pizza (you know, those things with the BREAD and the CHEESE) from room service.

*Maybe Newcastle, but they're menko like that.

he would go to villa

He was arguably signed as an attacking midfielder-cum-striker. I might be wrong about this, but I thought he was often played as right-side midfielder at Leeds. He certainly wasn't signed for his strike rate, which was never that impressive (and worse than Viduka's). At the time United had Van Nistelrooy as the proven striker, with Forlan and Saha battling it out for the second spot, and Solksjaer supposedly about to return from injury. It seems more likely he was bought for his aggression and attitude, qualities lacking in many of the other players. With Rooney suddenly signed at the start of Smith's first season he was even less likely to be needed as striker (or he wouldn't have been if it hadn't been for Van Nistelrooy, Saha, Rooney and Solksjaer all being injured). Come this season and Ferguson was faced with virtually no transfer budget - I think the net spend was about £1 million, even though Park and VDS came in about ten others were shipped out to reduce the wage bill for the indebted new owners - and an ageing Roy Keane that needed replacing. Who else *from within the squad* could he have chosen? Some pundits last weekend were suggesting Ferguson should sign Gerrard! With what???? Besides, if he's not going to leave Liverpool for Chelsea, why on earth would he go to Man Utd?

"Mutual consent..."

By Simon Stone, PA Sport

Roy Keane has sensationally left Manchester United by mutual consent.

A statement released by the Old Trafford outfit confirmed that their long-serving captain has departed with immediate effect after it became clear that his future at the club was untenable.

The 34-year-old's representative Michael Kennedy met United chief executive David Gill at Old Trafford to thrash out details of Keane's severance, completing one of the most dramatic departures Manchester United has ever known.
mfl

I think the chances of Keane leaving before Ferguson are pretty much zero now.
-- Dom Passantino (juror...), November 1st, 2005.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Neither of them will be there this time next year.
-- Teh HoBB (j__...), November 1st, 2005.

Apparently Rodney Marsh said he expected Keane to be involved in the Old Firm game tomorrow (to which Derek Johnstone said "Aye, singing songs in the Celtic end!")

In so many ways, in so many ways.

Sorry for derailment, folks. Erm, really, why would Celtic need him? We've already got one aging Irish defensive midfielder.

Mind you, headlines on Reporting Scotland just now "Celtic offer Roy Keane an open invitation". Hopefully just to sit in the stand.

To be accurate, we've already got one aging Irish defensive midfielder who gets up right the noses of the fans and players of every team he plays against

look at that slyly raised eyebrow, succinctly conveying "methinks the irishman doth protest too much"

rafa out

if it's white and in a bottle

sorry

Rafa goes to the shop to buy some milk

something something big cups

Roy's Utd dream team isn't really that challopsy if you watch the programme. There's plenty more bitter lunacy though

Aside from parker that team is arguable enough

Lack of Scholes is a surprise for me. Keane did everything Ince did but better so I'd drop Ince and put a passing midfielder in midfield.

His main criteria for inclusion seemed to be work-rate, attitude etc. but he says in the show that he'd leave himself out for Scholes

Who's manager of the Keane XI?

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2013/11/5/1383668370537/Mick-McCarthy-shakes-Sund-008.jpg

Scholes never fell out with fergie

Clough manager

he pointedly declares Clough the best manager he's ever worked for

I ANSWERED THE QUESTION *pointed stare*

funniest thing i’ve seen all day this pic.twitter.com/95LUNPDmTB

— chel (@chelUTD) February 1, 2021

god I love this whole thread