Dec 05
Keane’s United Prospects and The Tevez Conundrum
It is now common knowledge that Royston Maurice Keane stepped down from his position as Sunderland manager. Having been in the club for over two seasons, he has given the fans a whole lot of glory than they can have imagined. (Glory, here, is a relative term. So I hope you get my drift.)
When he arrived first at Sunderland, he did the unthinkable by bringing them from rock bottom to promotion as champions — no mean feat for a rookie. In his second season he managed to keep his calm whilst confronted with defeats, poor refereeing decisions, long term injuries — stuff he’d rarely have experienced during his United career, where things came fairly easily.
His temperament as a manager, and his ability to motivate the players around him were very impressive. However, to see him step down as Sunderland manager when things continued to pan out in an unfavourable way, was disappointing to see. The press will go on about his reputation of being a quitter — and I don’t think one could quite equate walking away from the Ireland World Cup squad with this. I thought his walkout on that occasion was justified, although I’m sure it’s still a topic that fiercely divides people. But walking out of Sunderland, a team despite being in the relegation zone is still about 6 odd points off a UEFA place struck me as odd. He’s had money to spend. The board has backed him as much as a bottom of the table club board could. But he still felt the need to walk out. I need to know why. Because such behaviour may not necessarily help him get the United job.
United are among the better run clubs. And much of our success is built around stability of the men in key positions. We would ideally like managers who are in it for the long haul, and our board usually has a history of affording our manager that. Even during the peak “Fergie out!” times of 05/06, the board showed full faith in Fergie. Of course, managers like Fergie are a one-off.
But the question arises now: is Keane a good choice for a number 2 to Fergie? Could this be an opportunity for him to be groomed into the main job? Had I been asked this question a year ago, I might have thought Keane and Hughes getting a few more seasons under their belt before offering them the manager’s job. But I do see things we’d need in a number 2 that Keano falls short of.
Keane seems to like keeping a good distance from the players whilst leaving the training to his assistant. It’s something Fergie would ask the likes of Queiroz and Phelan to do. Handling training sessions and man management/motivations can be entirely different things — as Queiroz is now coming to terms with at Portugal. I don’t see a dog-walking Keane overseeing early morning drills with the players.
He’s also never struck me as a tactical genius. He’s intelligent, but I haven’t seen any brilliant substitutions that out manoeuvred teams. His players will run through walls, but they’ll do that for Fergie too. He speaks his mind, but I’d want a calm, tactician who can be the good cop to Fergie’s bad.
So I really am not sure of Keano’s United prospects.
Fan favourite Carlos Tevez who had a barnstorming display against Blackburn the other day has given a good headache for Ferguson. Yes, it was only the Carling Cup — many would say. But it wasn’t against league two opposition either. We played a midfield three of under 21s against a full strength Blackburn side that has historically been a thorn in our Premier League flesh. It’s still pretty much Mark Hughes’ side, and scoring 5 goals against them is something and Tevez’s performance was something to behold. He still makes few touches too many in the box. He still can over complicate things, but when on song, he can mix it up with the best. He, like most strikers in the world, is a confidence player. And the demons are not in the player’s ability; rather in Fergie’s handling of him. For a player who was dragged through court hearings to come to Old Trafford, to become an important component of our double winning side, only to end up ignored in favour of another record signing — it cannot get worse than this.
Tevez may have had his best game of the season, and while arguments calling this only a league cup game may have value, his selection in our first XI in subsequent weeks will be a point of contention for fans and manager alike.
Oh, and do remember to vote for us, if you haven’t already.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Roy Keane sings a song for Ronaldo
- Man Utd v Blackburn: Preview
- 5 reasons why Tevez needs Manchester United
- Brief International Roundup + Berbatov’s Fitness Regime
- Gamba Osaka v Man Utd: Match Thread
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (479)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
I posted this lastnight, but it belongs here. None of us know what went on in Wearside, i do reckon that Roy is a man who’ld stand up and take criticsm on the chin, and take responsibility for the teams results. Some of his signings were dubious at best, an aging Cole and Yorke??!, but when you’re under pressure you might ask your mates for a dig out. But recently with the addition of Craig Gordon, Cisse,and Diouf he seemed to be moving in the right direction. Sunderland fans can dream on and on and on, cos thats all they’ll be doing. Apart from beating Newcastle twice in a year what else did they expect from Keano? Mid table at best for an average club WTF??!! Good news for those of us in Ireland who were sick of the influx of Sunderland shirts!
The more i think about it, mmmmmmmmm, Keano is a great motivational coach according to players who’ve played under him, and i think he’s learned a thing or two since THAT MUTV interview. I think that if bridges are mended then we could see Keano back where he belongs, as Fergies’ right hand man(hairdrying assistant!lol). It would be good for himself and for our club, could they be the new Dream Team? Now, no matter what our job is in life, all the training or prep in the world matters little when it comes down to the nitty gritty. “Can you do the job?” Now Keano has proved he can manage a football team successfully, but can he be a good assistant, could he reinvent himself? I believe he can, people are forgetting his age, he’s only 37 which is very young for a manager. He’s got loads of time left, half his life if he goes on as long as Fergie! I have no doubt that he would rise to the challange, he’s a winner, make no mistake about that. After his baptism of fire with the Makems, maybe a move as an assistant would be great for the evolution of Keane the future manager!
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Tevez was terrific against Rovers. Sky Sports News have an exclusive interview with Tevez at the moment which hte gist of basically says:
“United’s quality in strength and depth makes them better than Chelsea and Liverpool”
“He has nothing to do with the whole West Ham / Blades court case and just wants to play football”
and that’s about as much as i’ve caught so far, but Sky did suggest he’d get a Premier League recall against Sunderland after his barnstorming performance this week. About time too!!
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p.s he’s gotta loose that beard first, and get a dog walker, cos he’ll be too busy at Carrington
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I think Keane would be a good assistant. But I also think CQ would too! Id take Carlos over anyone else, because he knows the team and knows how to use the players/squad. He is a master tactitian, espessially in Europe. But even though I would like to have Keane as our assistant, its too early to say if he would become a good manager for us. He became a manager only 2 years ago, we should give him time. I would like a player like Keane to come in. Like I said yesterday a warrior, a winner, a monster midfielder which is also a box-to-box, one you can rely on in difficult situations, someone with a scar on his face. A finisher that also is a tackling monster. A Keane 2.0. Anderson fits the bill more than anyone Ive seen at United, but outside of United its either Essien or DeRossi. When Anderson becomes a better finisher, gets more experienced with more runs into the box and manages to control a game, he will be perfect. He already has the aggresion, the will to win, more skill than Roy, faster, better passer and a wonderful man-marker(Liverpool, Arsenal, Roma and Villa last season). His tackling si very good for someone his age, and with more experience and more tests, I believe he can become a Keane-type player for us.
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Said some points about Keane yesterday, but fits better in this article:
I have been impressed by Keane. The season before he took over, Sunderland were relegated with the worst total points and goals against(until Derby came). He made them get up to the Prem right away and ended 13th last season. That is some achievement from a man in his first managerial years. He has bought players like Richardson, Gordon, Cisse, Ferdinand and Diof, but none of them have delivered the way people expected. I think he would be a great assistant, because he simply is a winner which wont accept anything but success. I love the dude, he may be crazy, but I love him. His mentality has ment a lot to the United that are now. He would do anything to help this team(Juve `99 exaple) and that is something I seem to think we lack now. A winning mentality. Face teams like Villa, Liverpool, Chelski and Arsenal and we will settle for a draw. With Keano around that would never happend. Ever! Just the same goes for Cantona. He would even put Ronny in his place.
Ronny: “I want to move to Real. I need more money and a warmer clima to become better.”
Fergie: “Chris, we have talked about this and I will never let you go. Now you listen to me…”
Keane: “I will handle this Sir. Now you listen to me pretty boy! Your arogance has gone too far. If you think you are gonna get everything yuo want just by wishing it, you are dead wrong. You are not a saint. You are not any special. You hear me? Had it been up to me I would have broken your bone off. But this guy thinks you deserve more. Remember that when he isnt around there is no-one to help you. I`m keeping my eye on you!”
Ronny: “Ehhhhhh….(looks at Keane and Ferguson in a really afraid view and decides to do something)….. You know what, Im happy here. United rule!”
Long live Keano!
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He was the most brilliant player ever to have played for us on a consistent basis! Id take 11 Keanos over 11 Beckhams, Ronaldos, Rooney, Cantonas and Scholes every day. He was the ultimate player! He could tackle, shoot, head, use both feet, pass, defend and attack, mark anybody, box.to-box, motivate… THE COMPLETE PACKAGE!!! He only had one flaw and that was his temper. But no-body is perfect. Like Anderson has his shooting, Ronaldo his arrogance, Rooney his inconsistency and Vidic his speed. Even Torres, Messi and Maradona! Torres is not a team player(how cant Scousers see that?), Messi has heading Maradona had drugs and all, and Zidane had his defending and temper. A Keane is what we need at United. A winner! The complete midfielder. If Anderson starts shooting well he can become that player. If Carrick keeps doing the right decisions and passes for 90 minutes he can become. If Hargreaves gets his injury away he may become. And Fletcher also needs to deliver on a consistent basis. He is beggining to show some signs, but i still think he has a long way to go. I want a real DM, a winner which is also a box to box midfielder. He should have a short haircut and have a scar on his face. Every times his team loses the ball he should run to the player who made that stupid pass and tell him to sort it out. Maybe my hopes are high, but that is what I want. I want another Keane. Wether Andy, Fletch, Hargo or myself( need to get a scar! ) I dunno. But if this United team are gonna become the truly best team in the world we need that. Another Keane…
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I’d be inclined to play Teves and Rooney against Sunderland. I’m a huge Berba fan but as far as fairness goes and attempting to strike the right balance amongst our attacking force, i feel the Apache deserves a run out and let him play the full 90 pls
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roy keane. Very good player but wont make a great number 2 at united. Rem we have young kids being nurtured and he may pull a gallas any tym knowing his temperament..any one rem the boro game that we got stacked 4 goals and he came out attacking the team.
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to build on carlitos moralle i say lets play him tomorrow..he may score another foursome. its all bout the momentum and at the moment the guy has it
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My team for tomorrow:
VDS
Rafael Rio Vidic Evra
Carrick Fletcher
Tevez Anderson Ronaldo
Rooney
Really! Rafael needs more game, Fletch and Carrick work well together, Anderson and Tevez deserve another game ofter thier performance against Rovers and Rooney will want another game after hitting the target again. The back 4(Edwin, Rio, Vida, Evra) picks itself and Ronaldo is a definate starter.
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@man utd jaluo: this is where Fergie can teach him most, i think he’s learned that criticism is best kept indoors. We all make mistakes, thats how we progress
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@man utd jaluo: Called mind-games! Fergie is a master at that and Keane has shown that. He has often critisised teams, evern his own. But that is because he wants us to perform. The strong players, the really great players show their worth after being critisiced! It may be a wierd thing, but it is true. That worked at United because here we have truly great players that want to perform and have the ability to change the world if they really want. At Sunderland? If you mention just 1 player in that team that would fit into Uniteds first 16 I would give you a million dollars! That is why it doesnt work there. Not a strong character, not good self-belief and no ability to perform at what level neccasary needed when it is. He would be perfect for United, his staement in 2005 might have got him released from the club, but I am grateful. After that statement, United played their best game until Roma 2007(7-1) with beating Chelsea 1-0. Alan Smith, one of the players that were hugely critisiced, played his hearth out. Best game Iv ever seen from Smudge. Reminded me of Roy himself! Ronny, Rooney, Flecth and Rio also responded. And to think that we played with Oshea and Silly against them that day…
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Keane needs time out of the game to get himself sorted, he is certainly not a number two, if he comes back it will be as a manager and he is a long way off the job at OT.
He doesn’t relate well with players as a number two has to, he is not tactically brilliant as a number two needs to be ideally. I wish him the best, but he needs to sort himself out first.
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On Keane, he is clearly not the right material for a number 2 to Fergie, for one simple reason:
His management style is an imitation of Fergie’s.
He wants to be Fergie – tough, but fair; driven, but approachable; a motivator. A good no. 2 should compliment the qualities of the manager, as Queiroz did – Keane would be redundant.
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@RedDevilEddy: He won’t play Anderson, Carrick and Fletcher mate.
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@Penguin: I agree Bro, never a truer word spoken
. I don’t think Keane is very Fergie though Penguin, because Fergie is a stubborn ole goat, HE WOULD NEVER QUIT until he succeeded.
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@Craig Mc: Keane needs to grow up, I loved him as a player but he has turned into a legend in his own lunchtime as a manager, and £5.5m for Chopra!! Oh dear.
Fergie has never quit and if you can’t handle the pressure of Sunderland what chance has he at United, none.
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@phoenix red: Phoenix, Keane has never stopped criticising us since he left. L’Pool are better than us, their Manager is great, Chelsea are better than us – they will win the PL and CL and not us, Fergie will never be as good as his old Manager Cloughy, who was so much better. Etc Etc Etc, he never stops talking United to the press, and not much of it has been positive. I reckon he is SICK as a parrot that he is not still at Old Trafford to be among the staff there. He burnt his own bridges, as you said, Fergie keeps things in house, but big mouth Keane doesn’t. Sorry but that’s a fact everyone is recognising.
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@RedDevilEddy: I can tell you right now with almost certainty, Fergie will have Berbatov back in the team against Sunderland
.
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@Stephen: Bro – ‘Legend in his own lunchtime’,
– love it!
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@Craig Mc: I agree i think he will start Berba, but Carlos deserves a start scoring 3/4 goals in a game then benched for the next game would be a little harsh.
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If some one can fill sir alex ferguson’s shoes then it has to be martin o neil. He ticks so many boxes, that keano doesnt. Will keano become a great manager? i dont know, but his eye for a player is just… non existent, O neil….Agbenlaho, Ashley young, etc. Keano….Every thing apart, he was chasing Younis Kaboul. For gods sake. His legs were gold, i am not sure about his brain.
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@Craig Mc:
I could not agree more with you here.
Roy Keane was an awesome player. But since he left he has shown a complete lack of respect for the players, staff, anf club. This all effects the fans.
Cloughy better than Fergie?! You’re havin a laugh.
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Are all of you going completely mad? Watch the interviews of SAF and HUGHES. Neither of them rate him as a manager. Both choose their words carefully just in case there are some sensitive souls out there. SAF remarks, “He was controversial as a manager and a player.” Roughly translated means, “He’s a liability.” He spent Asias national debt on crap. The best some of you’ve mustered as great acquisitions are the likes of GORDON and JONES. Are you having a laugh or what?
As for KEANE the player, some of you didn’t like the fact that IMO he was over-rated. Sorry, but I think he just did what any half decent combative midfielder did. SCHOLES has been our best player by a country mile and for England. He’s such a winner? Why didn’t he learn his trade properly? – Because it would be too damn hard. Why did he quit? – Because it was too damn easy!
I know some or most of you will hate me for the things I’ve said, but like KEANE, I don’t give a flying f*** about any of you. I will never forgive his sick tirade against Mick McCarthy. It was like my country and I had been defiled that day. The reasons for his childish outbursts are that, in truth he has nothing meaningful or useful to offer, so by coming out with ludicrous statements, everybody takes notice of him, because he’s giving the impression he calls a spade a spade and takes no nonsense from anyone. What a load of crap, it’s always in a safe conditioned environment.
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Its sad that Keane stepped down from his post. Clubs have become so demanding these days its really hard to give them at least one season to build a team. I also feel Ince may be facing the sack if he doesn’t produce results immediatley (a hard thing to be done by a rookie manager). I wish Keane the best of luck
If I were a manager I would give Tevez a starting place tomorrow. His four goals have certainly improve his mood and I wouldn’t want that destroyed. Its better he starts then substitute him in case he flops rather than starting from the bench. If the latter scenario occurs then it will all but confirm to him that Fergie doesn’t appreciate his efforts on Wednesday. I wont be here tommorow so my team would be
EDVS
Rafael Rio Vida Sheasy
Ronaldo Carrick Scholes Park
Rooney Tevez
PIG
Gibson
Berbatov
Evans
Fletcher
Nani
Manucho/ Neville(I didnt want to put him but be sure he will play some part of the game)
Peas out
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@Stephen: Thats a little off… Chopra is their most consistent goalscorer WHEN HE PLAYS. Keane’s problem was paying him too little and then farming him off to Cardiff or wherever on loan. They need to cut the chubb off of the squad and keep maybe 20 players and play a consistent first 11 and they will rocket up the table. They have a lot of decent premiership players, they just need to play them.
That being said, it could be double figures tomorrow….
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@Stayley:
tell us how you really feel.
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@RedDevilEddy: i’d take 11 scholes over any footy players the world has to offer.
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@john freakin’ o’shea: Really? Because of your name I thought you would say Oshea.
Just kidding. I understand, but for me Keane was the ultimate player. Not even Gerrard, Lampard or Xavi have that ability that he had. I hope Hargo can prove to be a “new Keane”.
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@Stayley: dont sweat it dude i know how you feel.
scholes > keane. anytime, anywhere.
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@RedDevilEddy: i like keane talent-wise but i prefer scholes.. what i dont like about keane is his temperament and attitude…
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the smiley’s are not showing in my ie! i’ll use mozilla instead, stupid ie.
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@Traverse: He is shit mate as were most of his signings.
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@Nelson: Why not Evra? He is available. Its the Spurs game he cant play. As for Scholes, he wont play. Fergie confirms he will leave him on the sidelines. Not because he is injured, which he is not, but because he just came back from injury and he is old and need more time to get back. A rest tomorrow, game against Spurs and then Aalborg(or the other way around, anyway). Fletch is a doubt becaus eof his hamstring, and with the Christmas period up I wouldnt be surprised if Fergie doesnt take any risks about him. I switch my team to:
VDS
Rafael Rio Vidic Evra
Ronaldo Carrick Anderson Nani
Tevez Rooney.
If Im not wrong, Berba just came back from a hamstring injury. And we will play Spurs and Aalborg in a week before taking off to Japan for the FIFA club world cup. Then the Christams games… I would rest him.
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@Stephen: “Fergie has never quit and if you can’t handle the pressure of Sunderland what chance has he at United, none.”
I second this. Especially, if you consider that at United a draw is as good as a loss, and a loss is as good as a crisis.
Waaaaayyyyyyy tooooooo much pressure!
I loved Keane as a player. I think he is a legend and as RedDevilEddy says, a ‘complete midfielder’. As a manager however, he need to prove himself in the PL and CL first. At the moment, defo not United quality (yet).
To quote Grognard “…What have you done [for me] lately?”
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Anyone, when will Ronaldo’s suspension for the red card kick in?
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Tevez is one of the most gifted players in the world and needs to play consistently to recover his confidence. What about playing him as an attacking midfielder insteas of a striker? He has a great work ethic and can defend as well as link with the strikers.
Keano as a great motivator? Have you read today’s Guardian article about how he completely lost the dressing room at Sunderland? A great, great, player but a deeply flawed manager.
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@Karl: Its gone mate Blackburn league cup.
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@frankie: my thoughts exactly. I think Tevez can become our CAM. People talk about a replacement for Scholes…I know there are absolutely no similiarities in their current play, but I do believe he can make it in that position by playing like the Scholes of old (midfielder with an eye for goal).
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@Stayley: ah suddenly your motivation for this tirade against Keane become clear. You hate him because he walked out on our country. I would have done the same if I was him. He had come from the team with the best facilities in the world at United and then was asked to train on a pitch without any grass without any gear. This was the biggest tournament of his life, if it wasn’t for him we wouldn’t have gotten into the tournament in the first place. I remember his demolition job on Portugal in that group. He was sublime. Head and shoulders above anyone else on the field and considering Portugal were in their ‘golden generation’ that was no mean feat. He gave us the lead and it was unlucky that they had as gifted a player as Figo to grad the a IMO undeserved draw. We were in a group with Portugal and Holland and it was mainly Keanes attitude and influence that carried that team. Even my Dad who is the biggest ABU of them all could see what he did for that team. I remember reading a preview of the world cup done by some English magazine which said that the Ireland team was ‘like the PL’s B team but no team containing Roy Keane could be described as a B team’. He was the main driving force behind our treble win and won us the game against Juve when it looked like we were out. To call him overrated is a fallacy as he is in the top 5 United players of all time imo
1.Charlton
2.Best
3.Giggs
4.Cantona
5.KEANE
6.Law
7.Edwards
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@Liam … Ronaldo?
@Stephen – Thanks. I forgot cup games count as well.
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Liam,
I can’t abide the bloke for the many reasons outlined. The fact his disgraceful antics included getting pissed up and unleashing a barrage of unnecessary insults, with no regard towards his team mates. In times of adversity, you pull together and improvise, not do the obvious and lambast others.
The Irish team actually got on fine without him. Another example of his arrogance, meaning he missed out on one of Ireland’s best ever runs in the competition. No wonder he’s lost the plot. He think’s he’s invincible. He’s not and never will be. I reckon most people, and most people actually did; just got on with it! Pampered spoilt brat. If you’d have done the same as him, then perhaps you need a bit of reality therapy.
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@Liam: The issue is that he walked out on his country, but what he wanted to do was walk out on McCarthy.
To let your country down after a personel spat is poor, like walking out on a club because they are in the bottom three, and he spent £80m, in my view on a lot of mediocre/poor players.
I loved him as a player for United, but see him totally different as a manager, who seems obsessed in making random pot shots at United, he has let himself Sunderland and at the time Ireland down, simply because he didn’t get his owm way.
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Guys, Im really happy.
My goal with Berbatov ended in second place for eafootballworld, FIFA 09, goal of the month. I think it should have won though :p. Feel free to check out mine, and the other 9, goals at this site. You play the Top 10 – 04/12 to the right on the page on featured videos. Im awsome! 
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Keane as a player certainly wasn’t overated, far from it.
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Steven,
Here here! He was a very good footballer. NOT the best! His personality is repugnant. Vile racist t**t. He honestly believed he could breeze in to management without putting an ounce of effort to learning from the roots up, and wonders why he has cataclysmically failed.
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@Stayley: Racist? You want to back that up mate.
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@Stayley: Racist? What the fuck is that about?
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Keane is certainly one of the most complete midfielders ever to grace the game, maybe even the best at United. But as a manager or even assistant, i reckon he’s tactically cripple so i would yell no. The only managers capable of filling Fergie’s boots are martin O Neil and my favourite pick, Carlo Ancelloti.
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@WhiteY: Ancelloti? he finnished 5th last season out of champions league, think we can do better than that.
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