ROY KEANE’S character is entirely shaped by his high standards, from the vast array of medals he has stashed in a draw somewhere to his volcanic reaction when others have not reached his expectations.

ALEX FERGUSON has hit out at the FA for the speed with which they announced Steve McClaren’s sacking.

SUNDERLAND manager Roy Keane has underlined the importance of leaders as he welcomes back captain Dean Whitehead for today’s game at Everton and admits he would also love to have Goodison skipper Phil Neville in his ranks.

ARSENE WENGER does not expect Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva to face a backlash from angry England fans after he helped end their Euro 2008 dream at Wembley.

POCKETING a bulky envelope given by an English businessman before a Manchester United match in May 1994, former Fianna Fáil chief fundraiser Des Richardson discovered next day it contained $10,000 (€6,750) cash, the Mahon Tribunal heard yesterday.

SPECULATION about growing discontent between Liverpool’s joint owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett and manager Rafael Benitez has intensified after a bizarre day on Merseyside.

MANUEL ALMUNIA may have the best view in the house when it comes to watching Arsenal’s own brand of beautiful football, but the Spanish goalkeeper is not taking his “privileged position” for granted.

DESPITE refusing to publicly name his side for the make-or-break Euro 2008 qualifier with Croatia today, England coach Steve McClaren seems set to take the biggest gamble of his career by naming Scott Carson in goal.

LIVERPOOL goalkeeper Jose Reina has called on his team-mates to help relieve the boardroom tension that currently exists at the club by continuing their superb recent form on the pitch.

FOOTBALLER Ryan Giggs was given a few words of advice from his boss Alex Ferguson ahead of collecting an OBE yesterday.

ALEX FERGUSON has backed Wayne Rooney to join his list of illustrious Manchester United captains.

The Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey likes a good argument when he hears it, and he’s got strong views of his own. Today, and every Tuesday, he will be acting as referee on your opinions on the Premiership. Let him know what you think and he’ll argue the toss with you.

DEFIANT defender Gael Clichy admits the title pressure is suddenly on his Arsenal side after their defeat at Middlesbrough but the Frenchman believes the Gunners will respond well against Chelsea on Sunday despite their injury problems.

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson has admitted a Football Association charge of using abusive and/or insulting words to a match official.

CRISTIANO RONALDO is determined to use comparisons with Manchester United’s legendary “Holy Trinity” as motivation to get even better.

RARELY has Rafael Benitez played a more dangerous game.

AS he watched 21-year-old Amir Khan destroy his opponent in just 72 seconds from his ringside seat on Saturday night, Ryan Giggs must have been struck by the parallels in the careers of the two men.

THOSE who claim Roy Keane is a reformed man since swapping his shinpads for a suit and tie gathered more evidence for their cause on Saturday when the Sunderland manager sauntered into the Stamford Bridge press room half-an-hour before his side’s meeting with Chelsea.

FERNANDO TORRES’ stunning impact at Liverpool could well have seen the Spaniard play his way out of boss Rafael Benitez’s rotation system.

CHELSEA manager Avram Grant insists no decision has yet been taken on whether striker Didier Drogba will undergo an operation to solve a knee problem.