Keane takes on Rossendale

Roy Keane played for a Manchester United XI against Rossendale United tonight.

The club captain did not travel with his United team-mates on their trip to the Far East, with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson declaring Keane unfit to take part.

United have beaten a Hong Kong XI and Beijing without Keane, and tonight the second-string side which made the short trip to Rossendale prevailed 7-0.

Keane, 33, played for the whole of the first half and was described as “different class, on and off the pitch” by Rossendale director Steve Hobson.

Hobson admitted that Rossendale had been taken by surprise by Keane’s appearance.

“We found out this evening about 4pm and couldn’t believe it,” he said.

“You don’t often get players of his calibre at Rossendale.”