Ruud rues exit of Roy 'a real man with a big heart'

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY has admitted it will take a long time to get over the sudden departure of Roy Keane from Manchester United.

The Red Devils may have appeared to make a swift transition to the post-Keane era with their excellent 3-1 win at Charlton, but shock and amazement at the Irishman's swift exit is still bubbling under the Old Trafford camp.

Forty eight hours after the news was delivered to Keane's former team-mates at United's Carrington training complex, Van Nistelrooy still bore the hallmarks of a man in denial.