From the Sunday Times:
Sir Alex Ferguson has always been an intelligent manager of footballers. Speaking to him on Friday morning about Roy Keane’s decision to return to the Ireland football team, there was a reminder of just what it is that makes Ferguson so successful. The decision was one he fully respected because he understood the reasons why Keane wanted to represent his country again.
What makes Ferguson’s support so laudable is the certainty that if it were down to him, as manager of Manchester United, Keane would not be returning to international football. Six weeks ago, when the debate between the manager and his skipper was reaching a critical point, Ferguson told a friend of Keane’s that the player would return to international football "over my dead body".
It was easy to see the manager’s point of view. Throughout this troubled season, he has rested Keane at every turn. United’s season turned on a midweek evening in February at Old Trafford when Middlesbrough beat them 3-2, watched by their resting skipper. So how could Ferguson sanction an international return that would exacerbate Keane’s problems? "Roy had to do this," said Ferguson. "I think his family have been a big influence. They would like to see him back playing for Ireland and there is an issue of how things will be viewed 20 years from now. How will Irish people look back on Roy’s career? By returning now, he will ensure that it’s remembered in the right way. That’s a good thing.
"From my point of view, it is 10 or 11 extra games for Roy over two seasons and I am going to have to deal with that. My feeling now is that generally I will not play Roy for Manchester United the weekend before and the weekend after he has played for Ireland. I just don’t think his body can stand up to that kind of schedule any more."