In the 18 months since he left Old Trafford, Roy Keane has won two titles - one as a player at Celtic,  and one at Sunderland in his first season as manager. He also won seven Premier League, one European Cup and four FA Cup winners' medals with Manchester United. Above all, Keane is a winner.

It came as no surprise to me to see Sunderland rocket up the table last season once they had secured Keane as their new boss. The previous season had been a disaster - relegation from the Premier League with a record low points total. And that had continued with Niall Quinn as manager after he had led a consortium takeover of the club.

Quinn is a nice person, but not the sort you could see firing up an entire dressing room. They quickly lost four in four, at which point Quinn made the inspirational move to call on Keane, heralding him as a "world-class manager." Even when he watched from the stands, before officially becoming manager, Sunderland felt Keane's winning influence.

'Even when he watched from the stands, before officially becoming manager, Sunderland felt Keane's winning influence'


Results soon started to improve under the Irishman, as he emphasised the importance of "a good dressing room." As Sunderland began their promotion push, the players began paying tribute to Keane, calling him "brilliant", heralding his "great attitude" and "competitiveness." It is something that clearly rubbed off on the players, as their commitment and will to win was clear to see. Keane could never have been anything but a success at Sunderland.

Now he has joined the big league. Having spent around £30m in pre-season, expectations are high. Having defeated Tottenham on the first day of the season, and earned a battling 2-2 draw at Birmingham, where his team came back twice, Sunderland were looking good. Now they have suffered two defeats on the bounce, at tghe hands of Wigan and Liverpool, in both of which they were comfortably beaten.

There is something about Keane that leaves you assured that he will turn things around. Whatever he needs to do in order to win, he will do it. He was famed for his determination and will to win as a player, and it is something that he has kept as manager.

Now comes the test I believe he has been waiting for ever since he first took his coaching badges. The chance to challenge Sir Alex Ferguson, after years of leading his teams, is something Keane will relish. I wouldn't be surprised if he took points away from Old Trafford. If he cannot get his players to give him total commitment and effort for this match he will consider he has failed. Keane will expect - and demand - that every player gives all he has got to the cause, just as he did in his playing days.

It will be a fascinating contest.

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