Keane controversy continues

Roy Keane has admitted he may have launched a similar attack on the Crystal Palace fan Eric Cantona kung fu kicked at Selhurst Park in 1995.

Keane, who has already caused a storm of controversy with the serialisation of his book 'Keane - The Autobiography' in the News Of The World, said his initial reaction to Cantona's infamous attack was "so what?"

Cantona was banned for eight months, but Keane said: "Fair play to Eric. I might have done the same myself.

"Of course, when I got home and saw the television pictures I could see it was a nasty incident.

"Out of order, too. But my attitude didn't change. My heart went out to him and all the lads felt the same.

"We didn't pat him on the back and say well done - but Eric was a good lad and we weren't going to turn on him now."

Keane was on the Selhurst Park pitch when Cantona "lost it". He added: "Eric got involved with his marker, Richard Shaw. It was niggly stuff, not nasty - shirt-pulling, obstruction, a bit of chat.

"You shouldn't bother about it but the aim is to break your concentration - sometimes it worked and, with Eric, Palace got a result. Eric lost it and kicked Shaw. Off.

"The crowd went mad. As Eric walked towards the dressing room the game resumed. Now it's a battle. Suddenly there was a commotion on the far touchline - something had happened but we didn't know what. It turned out some looper had had a go at Eric near the tunnel.

"Eric didn't react immediately, then turned back and launched himself at his tormentor.

"Bruce Lee would have been proud of his kung fu kick, although he could have hurt himself quite badly, broken his back.

"It's a good thing he wasn't wearing studs. As it was, he ended up on his feet trading blows with the guy.

"After the game, the dressing room was quiet. The directors were in a huddle with the gaffer. Eric sat there, head bowed.

"Police were outside in the corridor. It was a big test for the manager but I still say some of the things you hear from the terraces are really sickening. Racist taunts, chants about players' personal lives - Eric suffered a lot from that - filth that makes you wonder about the people who come to football matches."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has already given Keane's new book his seal of approval.

"It is a book about Keane's life and from what I've read it is an honest appraisal," said Ferguson.

"The book was overseen by the club and we were aware of its contents. I see no problem with it, in fact, I can see it having a positive effect."

Meanwhile, Ferguson has tipped Keane to become a great football manager.

"I have no doubt Roy will make a top manager, a great manager even," Ferguson told News Of The World.

"Some people are born as leaders and their perfectionism always comes through. In this game that generally leads on to something else in life.

"Roy's intelligent, he drives himself harder than most people and there is no doubt he will do well in management. If he wants, he could achieve so much if he carries on in the game.

"Roy is driven by his love of the game and the way he expects the best out of everyone around him. He could do something special at that level.

"I have seen the qualities needed for management in him and I expect he has learned from me.

"I suppose he has the same determination as me and he doesn't like taking second best. Those are qualities that can transfer so well to the management level, although he still has some way to go."