Keane to leave Utd?

**strangeirish** · 29/09/2005, 6:54 PM

Roy Keane has stunned Manchester United
by revealing he expects to leave Old
Trafford at the end of the season.

The Irishman's contract is due to
expire in the summer and it was widely
assumed he would be given at least an
extra year, possibly to combine playing
duties with a coaching role.

However, in a live MUTV phone-in, Keane
has rejected any likelihood of moving
straight onto Alex Ferguson's backroom
staff.

'I would like to play another year or
two but I do not think it will be at
Manchester United,' he said.

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Soccer News
KEANE REVEALS UNITED EXIT PLANS
Keane believes it will be the end of
the season before United decide whether
to offer him a new deal, by which time
it will be too late.

'I would be surprised if I was offered
a new contract and even if I was, I
would not expect it to be until the end
of the season but by then I will have
already made a decision about what I am
going to do,' he said.

'There comes a time for everybody when
they have to move on and I am prepared
to play elsewhere.'

'I think it will be good to experience
a different dressing room.'

From Aertel

**sligoman** · 29/09/2005, 6:59 PM

He'll probably do what Denis Irwin did, go to a sh!t team for a season or two and then just fade away. United making a big mistake if they do let him go though, even though he's getting old, he's still a top player

**thejollyrodger** · 29/09/2005, 7:01 PM

he always said he was going to leave. i dont see where the surprise is coming from :s

**John83** · 29/09/2005, 7:04 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

He'll probably do what Denis Irwin did, go to a sh!t team for a season or two and then just fade away. United making a big mistake if they do let him go though, even though he's getting old, he's still a top player

They're overdependant on him - an injury-prone, ageing, fading player. It'd be healthier in the long run for the team to cut him loose.

**sligoman** · 29/09/2005, 7:28 PM

Originally Posted by John83

It'd be healthier in the long run for the team to cut him loose.

Dont agree with that. If he goes then they have no real leader in the team.

**thejollyrodger** · 29/09/2005, 7:48 PM

At the end of the day, Roy Keane is just one player. You cant build your team around a player who is old and injury prone all the time. Its holding the likes of Rooney back, playing other players out of formation.

Time to go IMO. A big clear out is needed at Man Utd. Maybe Fergie should call it a day as well.

**holidaysong** · 29/09/2005, 10:59 PM

Back to Cobh Ramblers for a season?

**drinkfeckarse** · 30/09/2005, 7:55 AM

It's no secret that he'd like to play at Celtic and I think that is a likely option. Lennon will be away at the end of the season and it would be great to get someone like Keane who is a much better and more mobile player to replace him.

**Roverstillidie** · 30/09/2005, 8:06 AM

or it could be contract negotiaion posturing?

**Don Vito** · 30/09/2005, 8:07 AM

I think he's just pushing for negotiation to get started on a new deal for him. Remember when he was talking about leaving before. I reckon he'll sign a new one year deal in January.

**Don Vito** · 30/09/2005, 8:10 AM

Feck ye RoverstillIdie! Got in there just before me!

**John83** · 30/09/2005, 8:45 AM

Originally Posted by sligoman

Dont agree with that. If he goes then they have no real leader in the team.

The alternative is to keep on playing him, on the odd weeks, when he's fit, and playing three across the middle just to make up for his old legs. Ever wonder why Scholes doesn't get into the box very often any more? Keane limits their play nearly as much as he adds to it these days. Sure, it'd be a wee loss for a season or two, but getting his replacement into the team is far better in the long run.

**NeilMcD** · 30/09/2005, 9:22 AM

It was also in the interview that he may not call it a day at international level

**zinedineontour** · 30/09/2005, 9:33 AM

prob best for both keane and manu if he moves on .. They need to start building a new team and keane can finish his career on a high with celtic rather than game here game there for united ..

**finlma** · 30/09/2005, 9:47 AM

Its a long shot but I think it would be great if he came back to Ireland and played a season with Cork City. Its not like money is an issue for him and he's getting on in years. If I'm not mistaken George Best played a season for Cork towards the end of his career and so did some other high profile names with other teams - I'm struggling for examples.
It would be a great advertisment for the league too and give it a real boost.

**Poor Student** · 30/09/2005, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by totalfootball

Yes, I think it says a lot about the Irish obsession with British football teams, that it doesn't seem to occur to our top players that they would be contributing so much more if they were to spend some of their post-peak years playing football in Ireland. I can't see what great players like Denis Irwin or Steve Staunton achieved by continuing to play in the lower leagues in England after they had retired from international football. Had they come back to Ireland for just one year, this would have given a real boost to football in Ireland, and not only would it have been good for young players in the Eircom league who got to play alongside them, but it would have been good for the footballer's status in Ireland too.

Spot on. I've always felt this myself. However Keano is a Cobh man, I'd prefer to see him go to Ramblers and pay back the club that made him.

**Risteard** · 30/09/2005, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by finlma

Its a long shot but I think it would be great if he came back to Ireland and played a season with Cork City. Its not like money is an issue for him and he's getting on in years. If I'm not mistaken George Best played a season for Cork towards the end of his career and so did some other high profile names with other teams - I'm struggling for examples.
It would be a great advertisment for the league too and give it a real boost.

I reckon best chance of that is if he bought the club and it'd more than likely be Ramblers then.
I reckon its contract negotiation time.

Ps Ya Best was washed up by then. Must have been in his late twenties.

**wallis** · 30/09/2005, 10:25 AM

I think that Roy will end up at Celtic for a season or drop down a division and play under a manager who is prepared to teach him that side of the game. Im not saying Celtic for any religious/Irish reason but for the fact that he would stroll into that side, still be challenging for honours and have european football as well.

I would say that its inevitable that he will become a manager and Im sure he is looking around to see who he is comfortable working with. He must have learnt a hell of a lot from 10 years with Ferguson. He doesnt strike me as someone who would be able to walk away from the game and retire at 35ish, surely he is going to want to be involved in some form or another.

Player / Manager of Ireland in the near future - what would Paddy Power offer me ?

**drinkfeckarse** · 30/09/2005, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

Spot on. I've always felt this myself. However Keano is a Cobh man, I'd prefer to see him go to Ramblers and pay back the club that made him.

Technically, the club that made him was Rockmount but I doubt somehow that they'll be able to offer him an attractive enough package. He was only at the Ramblers for a season.

**Poor Student** · 30/09/2005, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by drinkfeckarse

Technically, the club that made him was Rockmount but I doubt somehow that they'll be able to offer him an attractive enough package. He was only at the Ramblers for a season.

The MSL is for when he's too old for eL.