United no more
As football absorbed the enormity of Keane’s acrimonious departure from United after more than 12 years, it has emerged that funding a midfield replacement for Keane is central to the decision not to extend the Corkman’s £100,000-a-week contract.
The club’s US owners are insisting that manager Alex Ferguson could only bring in a similarly paid superstar if he was prepared to let his captain leave the club and lighten the wage bill.
However, Ferguson’s main target, Michael Ballack of Bayern Munich, is edging closer to a deal with Real Madrid.
The belief among Old Trafford executives that Keane was a “destabilising” influence sealed his fate, say well-placed sources. That view was confirmed by Keane’s recent MUTV criticism of his colleagues, which club chiefs axed with Ferguson’s approval.
It was claimed yesterday that the final decisive twist in a combustible relationship came after an early morning bust-up at the club’s Carrington training HQ, where Ferguson stripped Keane of the club captaincy - a claim vehemently denied by United officials - and told him his services were no longer required by the club.
The truth of the claims has yet to be established, but it is beyond doubt that, in launching personal attacks on his team-mates, Keane crossed the line that Ferguson has made one of the central components of his entire managerial career.
Close family friends of Keane insisted that his departure was not by “mutual consent”, and witnesses at Carrington reported seeing Keane storm out.
Having earlier informed the Glazer family of the unfolding drama, chief executive David Gill summoned Keane and his trusted adviser Michael Kennedy to a meeting yesterday morning at which the terms of his departure were agreed.
“It has been a great honour and privilege for me to play for Manchester United for over 12 years,” said Keane. “During my time at the club, I have been fortunate to play alongside some of the best players in the game and in front of the best supporters in the world.
“Whilst it is a sad day for me to leave such a great club and manager, I believe that the time has now come for me to move on. After so many years, I will miss everyone at the club.”
Keane’s team-mates, who sat through a special screening of his banned MUTV interview a fortnight ago, were informed of the 34-year-old’s departure before training but, while staggered by events, will no doubt welcome Ferguson’s unstinting support.
The clinical nature of the departure should silence those who believe Ferguson is preparing his own exit strategy for the summer.
Keane joins a list of players, including Jaap Stam, David Beckham and Paul Ince, who took on Ferguson and came off worst.
The United boss did not appear to have a care in the world as he breezed through the Carrington complex yesterday, completing his media obligations without a mention of Keane’s future.
Speculation is mounting as to where Keane will re-launch his career, with Celtic the obvious favourite.
A Celtic spokesperson said: “Roy Keane was a magnificent player and servant for Manchester United, but he also knows all about Celtic. If at any time Roy would like to speak to us about his future and Celtic’s, we would be only too happy to speak to him, but as yet there have been no discussions.”
Keane has previously stated he could not join another Premiership club so strong is his bond with Old Trafford but, as a free agent, he is now at liberty to join any team of his choosing.
Bizarrely, he is also free to take up the offer yesterday from the club of a testimonial, which would net him another £3m.
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