Keane confirms Cobh appearance – reports

Reports on Saturday suggest that Roy Keane is certain to play for a Manchester United XI against his former club Cobh Ramblers in a pre-season friendly at St Colman’s Park in two weeks’ time.

He has reportedly requested permission to turn out for an otherwise shadow United side in the game, which will be guaranteed to sell out and boost the First Division strugglers’ coffers.

Keane left Cobh 14 years ago to sign for Nottingham Forest, from where he moved to United in a then British record £3.75m deal three years later.

He has won seven English Premiership titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League, although he famously missed the final of United’s greatest success through suspension.

The 32-year-old recently returned to the green shirt to great acclaim after an absence of two years, and after his appearance against his old club on July 17th, he will – fitness permitting – be back in Ireland in September for the beginning of the World Cup qualifiers.