Irish Man U supporters shocked by Keane departure

The Manchester United Supporters Club in Ireland has expressed "shock and horror" at Roy Keane's departure from the Premiership side.

The club announced today that the 34-year-old Corkman was leaving with immediate effect after agreeing that his position had become untenable.

The move is believed to be linked to the player's recent criticism of many of his team-mates in an interview that was pulled from MUTV due to its contents.

Eddie Gibbons, the secretary of the Irish Manchester United Supporters Club, said the move came as a surprise, but the Old Trafford outfit had recovered from similar setbacks in the past.

"We've gone through it down through the years," he said. "George Best left in similar circumstances and various other players and we just have to get on with it."