Home > Football > Still Keane as mustard, Sunderland's saviour heads for a Premiership shoot-out with Sir Alex

Still Keane as mustard, Sunderland's saviour heads for a Premiership shoot-out with Sir Alex

"The evil that men do lives after them. The good is often interred in their bones."

by Orion Assante on 12 March 2007

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Roy Keane: A leader on and off the pitch (Gettyimages.com)

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When Roy Keane left Manchester United, reading most reports then, the thinking seemed to be “Good riddance! He's gone." Many are even saying now that his departure has been good for the club and that he wasn’t really as good as many thought he was, anyway. Or that his ego had grown too big for the club, thinking he was indispensable.

Certainly in United's treble-winning season, the impact of Roy Keane in the latter stages was not felt. And in this treble-chasing season, it seems the raving and ranting of the man didn’t amount to a hill of beans in that crazy world they call Old Trafford.

Yup . . . it seems clear that Manchester United have got over Roy Keane. The real king in Manchester is the Scotsman, not the Irishman.

But if anyone thought that the episode with Sir Alex would dampen the spirit of the man, they knew nothing. Sooner rather than later, Keano will be back at Old Trafford. This time disguised as a manager with Sunderland, but his true self will still prevail.

Keane is a leader. Although the same could be said of Sir Alex and Keano’s manager before that, Brian Clough. The difference is that Keane demonstrated his leadership both on and off the pitch. Sir Alex forgets what drew him to Keane in the first place: that he embodied everything that was Manchester United – the good, the bad and the ugly – in a way that not even Eric Cantona or Bryan Robson did. Keane demanded that every United player shed every ounce of blood and sweat – much as he did himself.

And now he brings that quality to Sunderland. Keane is an every-man whose commitment and love for the club every supporter can identify with and love. Some Manchester United supporters have forgotten that. Some have accused United’s swanky trophy-loving supporters as only remembering the glorious achievements of players who are all yes-men to the manager. So when Sir Alex brings back the Premiership title for the ninth time this season, United fans will see only Michael Carrick as the owner of the number 16 shirt.

But the Sunderland die-hards are all sons-of-the-soil who can identify with their manager in a way the ritzy Manchester United-Cantona-loving fans cannot.

Keano is no self-glorifying manager who blasts players for the fact that their girlfriends are seemingly more glamorous than he is. Keano is no manager who buys players who will kiss the badge of Leeds United today and move to Manchester United tomorrow, or indulge in pretentious I’m-good-only-at-West-Brom players who think an England call-up is a signal for compliance. Or defenders who think they are great only because of their price-tags.

When Keano comes calling at Old Trafford, the Manchester United fans may dismissively sing "Roy who?" But I expect the man himself - backed by an army of Black Cats - to stand tall and say: "Roy Keane. That’s K-E-A-N-E!"

Sunderland fans, what do you make of Keano's performance at the Stadium of Light? We want to hear your views at Sportingo.

Comments (12)

by Keano's Big Toe on March 12, 2007

I think you're a bit deluded if you honestly think the majority of United fans won't welcome Keane back with open arms! I'm almost certain that he'll get the biggest cheer of the night when we see him walking down the touchline with Sir Alex. I honestly can't believe that you think the United fans are saying "Roy Who?" Carrick's a good player, but he is no Roy Keane in his prime. You're right, he embodied everything that meant to be a United player, but then so did Robson, so did Cantona. All 3 were different types of players, and all three were United players. We haven't necessarily got over Keane, we've just evolved into a different style of play. I guarantee youu that every United fan would have Keane back in his prime tomorrow! Any team, with ambition would want a Roy Keane in their team! He is a true United legend, and us fans won't ever forget that! Arguably one of the finest footballers, leaders and legends of the game!

by ian on March 12, 2007

Keano is nothing short of awesome. His desire for success has clearly rubbed off onto the players and their passion and commitment to the cause is there for all to see. Keano is exactly what our club needed and full repsect to Niall for achieving this.

by John R on March 12, 2007

I am a true blue Manchester United fan. And I guarantee you I will be the first at the ground when Sunderland arrive. Speak for the press. Who cares what they say or think. Us fans never forget a United hero, and certainly not a true red hero like Keano.

by Bergen on March 12, 2007

This is a very weird article. United fans haven't forgotten about Keane and they will always know how massively important he was for our club and it's success. It was clear though that our midfield needed revitalising - and it still does to a certain degree - and the form of Scholes and Giggs this year more than justify the result of the chain of events that led to Keane's departure. Along with the fact that he's now retired from football, it's pretty obvious that he was nearing the end of the line, and changes had to be made. I'm pretty sure that, like myself, most united fans keep an eye on Sunderland's progress and we'll be cheering when he brings them up to the premiership. That's how much we care about our Keano - because I've always disliked Sunderland and their style of play.

by Jack Hewison(SAFC) on March 12, 2007

After reading your Keano and Manchester United article, I felt overwhelming pride as I thought to myself; Roy Keane, Roy Keane? Sunderland manager? Yes, it's true Jack, true. I still can't believe his accolades, ability and determination for driving the club to the top flight, for which we belong! All these rumours of Sunderlands Roy moving to Fergies spot I don't believe. Keane is fine and dandy here, and states he enjoys managing the team. From the backing of his international teammate Quinn the chairman, to the oodles of Irish players and fans of Keane, and not only the supporters of Keane, but the Sunderland fans. He knows our potential and our ability and is determined and is striving to tap it, and that he will do! I see us being a real threat in the premiership with some new transfers brought in and the Royvolution of Keano. After reading his autobiography, and all about his upbringing and style, I felt like this is the time of reckoning for Sunderland, for he may be the one to guide us to p

by Vincent on March 12, 2007

Great player and building into a great manager.

by Red Legend on March 12, 2007

"Certainly in United's treble-winning season, the impact of Roy Keane in the latter stages was not felt. " Ya, I he was fairly anonymopus against Juventus in the CL semi final wasn't he. Keane is revered still at Old Trafford. "Roy Keane. That’s K-E-A-N-E!" - not sure what that means.

by Tommo on March 12, 2007

Roy keane is a passionate man who is rapidly warming to the club, the area and most importantly...the fans. After being at man u for so long he is now remembering what real fans who truly love there club no matter what situation are really like. With the backing of niall quinn things are only going to get better. By the time keane goes head to head with sir alex, man u will be begging for his future services.

by craftyjack on March 12, 2007

Roy Keane is turning into a great manager. His ability to extract passion and commitment from His players is second to none. Sunderland has for many years suffered from complacency and under investment, much to the frustration of the fans. The fans around Wearside are the most passionate in the country and will also rise to the challenge ahead. Brian Clough once said that he would crawl over broken glass to be given the chance of managing Sunderland, thus was the great mans understanding of the passion on Wearside. Sunderland is a city of hard knocks and tough living. Hard graft and long hours pay for the majority of the tickets at The Stadium of Light. The Irishmen and Sunderland men now running the club realise the immense potential there. Last year, when relegation was guaranteed, when the football was atrocious, over 44,000 attended the last Saturday home game. Truly amazing!!! Keano, with the backing of the board, can deliver the goods which will stun the footballing world, with immense crow

by Ian Todd on March 12, 2007

I must admit he has exceeded all my good expectations and not justified any of my doubts. The club needed turning around and he has undoubtedly achieved just as much if not more than the favourites O'Neill, Allerdyce and/or Curbishley would have done.

by A Genuine United Supporter on March 13, 2007

Have to say, in all my 42 years of supporting United I have never read a more uninformed, clueless ridiculous article on anything to do with the club! The funniest part is the writer saying they'll be singing 'Roy Who' next season. If this authortity on United ever got around to visiting Old Trafford he'd hear them still singing their Keane (and Cantona) songs. He remains an idol, and always will be. "He wasn’t really as good as many thought he was"?!?! The greatest midfielder and the greatest captain United ever had, and any United supporter who knows their history will tell you that. "Certainly in United's treble-winning season, the impact of Roy Keane in the latter stages was not felt." So the writer missed the Juventus game then? And that was only one of a dozen or more astounding performances by Keane in the big games as they got closer to the Treble. And his "ranting and raving", at useless players like Blomqvist, was another reason why they got there. Incredible, Grown men cried when