Keane eyeing May date for testimonial

Roy Keane has all but confirmed his Manchester United testimonial will take place against new club Celtic at Old Trafford on May 9.

The 34-year-old admits it will feel strange to receive a benefit match from United after leaving the club before his contract came to an end.

However, he is looking forward to once more playing in front of the Red Devils’ supporters, who so adored him during his 12-year stint at Old Trafford.

Keane told the United We Stand fanzine: “There is a date, perhaps May 9th. The United and Celtic boards have agreed to playing a game.

“It’s something I’m not 100 per cent comfortable with. It wasn’t something I’d planned. Perhaps if I’d seen out my contract at United, but even after 12-and-a-half years it just doesn’t sit comfortably with me. It’s hard to explain but it just doesn’t.

“However, United and Celtic have been encouraging me so it looks like it’s going ahead.

“It will be nice to go back in terms of never having had a chance to say goodbye to the fans.

“Not necessarily going back and seeing the manager and the staff and the players, because you are bound to see them over the years.

“But in terms of playing Old Trafford and saying goodbye properly…perhaps.

“Nothing’s been fully agreed and sorted out but there will be a charitable benefit to having it – lots of people in Glasgow, and Manchester and Cork and Dublin, I imagine, will benefit.”