Interview in the Sunday Times:
"In terms of dominating, I was losing it. It might have been something the normal fan wouldn't recognise, but I did. I was always my own judge, sometimes harsh, but in the end I wasn't quite at the races. By the end of my time there, a lot of the players didn't like me. They had just had enough of me. They were ready for a new voice in the changing room."
Keane cleaned out his locker the night before a last meeting with Ferguson and club chairman, David Gill. When asked about his current relationship with the United manager, he says: "I wouldn't have a clue. He's a manager I played under, he taught me a lot, gave me a chance and, hopefully, I repaid that with some decent performances. Then it came to an end."
Was there any affection between the two men? "No, I wouldn't say affection. The bottom line is, he'd always look at the bigger picture. Whatever he does, he will always do what he thinks is best for the club. I'll give him that."
When asked how good is United's new superstar, Keane remains cautious. He says: "For me, the jury's still out on Wayne. He's got a hell of a lot to do. Wayne has achieved nothing and he would probably say that himself. He's got potential, like I've got potential to be a good manager. Potential is one thing; doing it is another."
Keane reveals how he got on well with David Beckham but expresses doubt about the celebrity lifestyle of some players. "Becks was always going to go down the celebrity road once he got married. Not in a million years could I live that lifestyle, but I'm sure he couldn't live mine. There's a lot of people who get sucked in: Michael Owen always springs to mind. The day after Owen broke his foot, he's doing an article and I'm thinking, ‘Work on your recovery, man. Do that article next week, next month, next year.' Jonny Wilkinson, the same. When you get an injury, the early days are vital. I've done it both ways, where I've had an injury and been out on the town that night, and later on, when I focused properly. They're kidding themselves, but that's the name of the game nowadays."
The Observer:
On Sir Alex, Keane admits that he 'doesn't have a clue' where the pair stand, following the bust-up that led to his departure from Old Trafford, adding that although they have 'respect' for each other there is no 'affection'. As for the TV interview Keane gave following United's 4-1 mauling at Middlesbrough - the catalyst for him leaving - he says: 'I was seeing players doing stuff off the pitch and it was affecting them - it came to a head with that defeat. Yes, I nailed certain people. I took the publicity with a pinch of salt; senior figures at the club should've done the same.'
'Wayne had achieved nothing and would probably say that himself. I would judge players over a few years rather than one or two. He's got potential, like I've got potential to be a good manager. Potential is one thing, doing it is another.'
When it comes to Owen and football's culture of celebrity, Keane says: 'There's loads of people who get sucked in. Michael Owen always springs to mind. The day after Owen broke his foot, he's doing an article and I'm thinking, "Work on your recovery, man."'
And on the subject of his confrontation with Vieira in the tunnel at Old Trafford last season, Keane says, 'He was bragging about all the things he had done in Senegal. I said to him, "If you're so worried about Senegal, why didn't you fucking play for them?"'
As for the Wags, Keane adds: 'They were annoying me and they're not even my wife!'