Keane to miss 20 matches for Man United

ROY KEANE’S absence is to hit United hard.

Even if his recovery is completed in time for the trip to Liverpool on December 1, the 31-year-old will still miss a staggering 20 matches of United’s assault on domestic and European glory.

That includes the flashpoint visits to Leeds and Manchester City, both of which have been inflamed by Keane’s on-going row with Alfie Haaland.

However, facing a three-match ban for his dismissal at Sunderland on Saturday and likely to be hit by an FA disciplinary charge later this week for his comments about Haaland in his autobiography, the timing of the operation will ensure the least disruption to United’s plans as well as getting Keane out of the limelight.

The matches Keane will miss:

Sept 3, Middlesbrough (h); Sept 11, Bolton (h;) Sept 14, Leeds (a); Sept 18, Maccabi Haifa (h); Sept 21, Tottenham (h); Sept 24, Bayer Leverkusen (a); Sept 28, Charlton (a)

Oct 1, Olympiakos (h); Oct 7, Everton (h); Oct 19, Fulham (a); Oct 23, Olympiakos (a); Oct 26, Aston Villa (h); Oct 29, Maccabi Haifa (a)

Nov 2, Southampton (h); Nov 6, Worthington Cup 3rd rd; Nov 9, Manchester City (a): Nov 13, Bayer Leverkusen (h); Nov 17, West Ham (a); Nov 23, Newcastle (h); Nov 27, Champions League 2nd phase.