KEANE THE UNFORGETTABLE

Last updated : 07 February 2005 By editor

From The Telegraph:

'Ferguson said of Keane: "When you are talking about Manchester United 30 or 500 years from now, Roy Keane will still be regarded as one of the greatest players ever at this club,"

Keane, 33, had just emerged from a second inspirational performance for United in four days. He followed his pugnacious clash with Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira where he was prepared to let his fists do the talking with a classic demonstration of what his ageing legs can still produce.

Dragging United through their Highbury hangover to score his 50th goal for the club - 15 months after his 49th - to make a belated 55th-minute breakthrough against Steve Bruce's visitors, Keane went on to ensure that his lethargic colleagues did not waste all their hard work of last Tuesday night.

The strain of 180 combative minutes told on Keane's suspect knee bringing a withdrawal from Wednesday's friendly against Portugal - more of a precaution than a serious concern.

"That was the Roy Keane of 10 years ago out there this afternoon," said Ferguson, whose team have now taken 38 points out of the last 42 to keep alive their faint title hopes. Some people are capable of revisiting old times and Roy is one of them. When we needed some urgency and someone to open them up, he provided it. It was a fantastic goal and the fact it was his 50th for the club just made it more special."'