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Eric Cantona and, behind, Peter Schmeichel at the ceremony. Martin Rickett/POOL Wire/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Old Trafford greats gather to honour Alex Ferguson but Roy Keane snubs statue unveiling

The Corkman was the only absent skipper.

WELL, WHAT DID you expect?

Roy Keane was the only captain from Alex Ferguson’s 26-year reign at Old Trafford not to attend the unveiling of the manager’s statue this afternoon.

The great and good of Manchester United’s history — like Eric Cantona, Bryan Robson and Peter Schmeichel – attended the ceremony in front of the stadium stand now dedicated to Ferguson.

The invitation from the club was seen as Fergie offering an olive branch to his former skipper. Keane left the club in acrimonious circumstances in 2005 after he criticised young team-mates on MUTV.

Keane’s fellow Leesider and former United and Ireland team-mate Denis Irwin did attend and was joined in the seated area in front of the stand by the likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Andy Cole, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Edwin van der Sar. The current squad also lined out for the Eamonn Holmes-presented event.

What do you think of the Alex Ferguson statue that was unveiled today?

Back to the future: Fergie wastes no time in re-igniting Benitez fued

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68 Comments
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    Mute Paul Messitt
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 4:41 PM

    Whats the obsession with Roy keane…He was one of Utds greats end of story…I think its time people moved on….He fell out with Ferguson a few yrs ago so why shud he pretend everythings ok…Keane was good for ferguson as ferguson was for Keane…MOVE ON

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    Mute Boy Russell
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 4:46 PM

    @paul – well said. You nailed it!

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    Mute Joe Monaghan
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 4:52 PM

    Well said .Can’t add anymore to that

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    Mute Emlyn Grant
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 5:02 PM

    @Paul. I thought they had buried the hatchet. Surely the bigger man would have turned up. Ferguson made Keanes carrear and now Keane snubs. Would it realy have hurt him to turn up.

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    Mute ManOnTheStreet
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 5:08 PM

    What a load of crap. Fergie didn’t make keanes career. It was Keane who made utd the dominant force they were.

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    Mute Neil McAuley
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 5:20 PM

    Keane was the best midfielder in Europe for at least 8 years, he would have been hugely successful whether it was at Utd or elsewhere.

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    Mute Katie Buttimer
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 6:21 PM

    Perfect is this comment Roy is not for turning :) good for him

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    Mute Joseph McGranaghan
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 6:54 PM

    Sorry Neil he was a force of nature and a fantastic captain but the better footballer was the little ginger fella who played alongside him.

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    Mute Aster
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 6:59 PM

    So should Keane!

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    Mute Neil McAuley
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 7:04 PM

    Joseph – Nicky Butt was a very good player at his peak, but surely not that good ! Lol

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    Mute Joseph McGranaghan
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 7:16 PM

    Best player of the 2002 World Cup according to Pele haha

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    Mute barry winters
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 8:57 PM

    Who’s Roy anyway?

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    Mute Gerry Campbell
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    Nov 24th 2012, 10:30 AM

    And would have shown a bit of class, but sadly took the easy way out…

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    Mute Mary Mc Carthy
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 4:35 PM

    Did anyone even take the trouble to ask Roy why he did not intend ? It would have been nice to do so before putting the words ‘snub’ in the article

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    Mute joan donnellan
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 6:37 PM

    Yes Mary.. Well said! I thought the same… Great the way some journalists put a spin on things too isn’t it?

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    Mute DeadBelly
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 11:34 PM

    quiet, men talking about football here. we don’t need to ask questions, our assumptions are more entertaining.

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    Mute ManOnTheStreet
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 4:34 PM

    Well you could hardly blame him after the disgraceful way fergie treated him.
    I don’t like either men, but still, after everything he gave to utd, he deserved a better end to his utd career.

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    Mute Ben Barnes
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 6:28 PM

    Poor Roy,
    Left Ireland under a cloud, left United under a cloud, left Sunderland under a cloud, left Ipswich under a cloud, the man’s a cloud machine. Great footballer but a strange character.

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    Mute Mark Noonan
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 7:26 PM

    He doesn’t have to attend anything – he knew it’d be full of ponces he didn’t like (ie schmichel) plus falseness and talking BS is not his strong point even for a couple of hours in Manchester for his old boss who sacked him for talking the truth (albeit foolishly on mutv)

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    Mute Bryan Murray
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 5:49 PM

    I always wonder what 2002 Keane would make of 2012 ITV pundit and Sun journalist Keane

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    Mute Ronan O Connor
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 5:15 PM

    Keane is just a bitter man.typical cork man.

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    Mute Alan Roberts
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 11:08 PM

    We’ve a lot to be bitter about alright Ronan, having fookin neighbours like ye!!

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    Mute Johnny Reynolds
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 4:47 PM

    Roy keane is a douche anyway

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    Mute Chris Noonan
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 4:51 PM

    troll

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    Mute Johnny Reynolds
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 4:52 PM

    I’m a troll because I think Roy keane is a douche? Grow up numpty

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    Mute David O'Sulivan
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 4:55 PM

    Agreed

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    Mute DeadBelly
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 11:38 PM

    douche ? and is it sooccccerr aswell, stupid American

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    Mute Tae Time
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 5:41 PM

    Roy was in London, mocking the whole legacy statue idea by staging a naked protest.

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    Mute Martin Healy
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    Nov 24th 2012, 12:56 AM

    Roy keane=petty

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    Mute Robbie Farrell
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 5:13 PM

    Of course there could be valid reasons for Keane not to have been able to attend, but, if not, does it really come as a surprise. the man is a stubborn fool. I fail to understand why so many Irish fans continue to stand by this man. He walked out on his own country during q World Cup. Regardless of the poor training facilities or any other bulls#*t excuses given at the time, you dont walk out on your own country during such a historic occasion like a WC. A great player he certainly was. A great man? Far from it.

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    Mute Hope Lasts
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 5:32 PM

    totally right –end of all discussion

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    Mute Mark Noonan
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 7:34 PM

    Can’t agree – his actions whether you agree or not got our useless FAI to do the genesis report which at least was a step in the right direction-he loved playing for Ireland no question but he had to stand up for his beliefs and what happened then was a disgrace with shit facilities and shit excuses – he was captain too so he grabbed the bull by the horns and at least tried to get it sorted – then the worst piece of man management in football history by mickmccarthy-

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    Mute Mary Mc Carthy
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 8:52 PM

    @ Emlyn … If you knew anything at all about Roy Keane you would know his beloved dog died !

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    Mute Xadovan
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 4:40 PM

    Ferguson criticised Keane only a few months ago after Keane was on Skysports during a MUFC game where they lost and Ferguson got upset because Keane criticized the squad.

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    Mute Neil McAuley
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 4:38 PM

    Though not a Utd fan deserved recognition for an outstanding manager. For Utd fans would have been great to be there – other than that creep Eamonn Holmes being MC.

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    Mute Dave O'Hanlon
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 6:46 PM

    Every Nordie celebrity seems to be a Man Utd fan, is their a tar and feathering for anyone who supports another English team up there

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    Mute Thinkshpake
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 11:32 PM

    What rubbish. Colin Murray, presenter of MOTD2, is a Liverpool fan. Julian Simmons too I think!

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    Mute Paul Messitt
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 5:12 PM

    @Emlyn..People are obsessed with what Keane does,he was a brilliant footballer..that career is over now…His relationship is over now with him…would you go to your ex wifes wedding?

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    Mute Emlyn Grant
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 5:50 PM

    maybe he was walking his dog….. The pox

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    Mute Mary Mc Carthy
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 9:00 PM

    The only reason that people have a problem with Roy Keane is that he says out in public what he thinks instead if bowing down to public opinion !
    He was one of the greatest players this country every produced . He is not seen shagging team mates wives or making racist remarks and he is still treated like public enemy number one !!!

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    Mute Bruce
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 6:06 PM

    Keane making a fool our himself again. Himself and Stephen Ireland are a pair of Clowns.

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    Mute Mick
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 7:48 PM

    Learn to write before you go making yourself look stupid.

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    Mute Bruce
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 9:21 PM

    Well mick touchy about a single typo!

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    Mute Keith Flood
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 8:13 PM

    Who gives a fook who turned up , Ferguson has a record which will be untouchable for century’s , Keane was a fantastic player , the best we ever produced , but they are both as pig headed as each other . End of .

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    Mute John Deane
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 5:36 PM

    Love him or hate him. Fergie is a legend. We will never see the likes of him again in football. I hope he stays on as United manager for a long time.

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    Mute Sean Slevin
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 9:08 PM

    Of course you will see the likes of Fergie again. He was an exceptional manager but the future will throw up another gem like that again.
    It’s called the human race.
    Pele retires then along comes Maradona to be followed by Messi.
    No matter how good anybody is you will always see their likes again.

    As for Keane not turning up?
    Who cares if he thinks its nonsense?
    He just needs to learn a bit of manners.

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    Mute Liam Harkin
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 5:53 PM

    People fall out with the boss in every aspect of work and that’s what it is for both men. I can say I fell out with a few ex employers and if they had a statue unveiled i would not attend either.

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    Mute Jason Bickerstaffe
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 5:19 PM

    what a stupid comment from Ronan the Douche!!!typical Douche

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    Mute Paul Martin
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 6:32 PM

    News from Stamford Bridge that Rafael Benitez is to get a statue after his long stint as Chelsea manager

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    Mute Joe Monaghan
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 4:53 PM

    Helen flanagan

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    Mute Éamonn Ó'Tíghearnáin
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 4:59 PM

    Ha :)

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    Mute MenaMcMorrow
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 5:30 PM

    Why is this article focusing on that man?…Respect to Sir Alex. Great day for him.

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    Mute Conor Browne
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 5:37 PM

    I doubt fergie gave a mili second of thought about keane being there or not and I doubt he has much regard for that statue either. All the man cares about is winning and looking forward. That’s what’s made him a true great!

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    Mute Elrat
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 7:57 PM

    Who give a sh#te !

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    Mute @HughLynchsBar
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 5:14 PM

    Serious dandruff on Cantona

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    Mute David Field
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 6:35 PM

    Bruce you’re invited to my house tonight for a transsexual orgy,no excuses now and if you don’t turn up ill be extremely unhappy,you worked wonders at the last one..

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    Mute Bruce
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 9:52 PM

    dream on…. and you should remember to place the ‘ in your contribution!

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    Mute Martin Sinnott
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 5:24 PM

    Where is the pic of the statue ?

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    Mute Lou Brennan
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    Nov 24th 2012, 2:21 AM

    That statue looked nothing like him. Who the hell did that, Stevie Wonder?
    It should have had a big red face of a fine wino for a start.
    However I thought the bronze of De mateo outside Chelsea’s ground looked just like him from the back.

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    Mute Lt Mr Worf
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 11:19 PM

    After his disgraceful behaviour in Saipan what would anyone expect?

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    Mute Michael Mc Gauley
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 7:44 PM

    For god sake this was an occasion to recognise a true genius lets not turn it into anything else over who was there or not.

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    Mute Sean Slevin
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 9:15 PM

    Ah….. No!
    Einstein was a genius.
    Sir Alex is a football manager.
    A great football manager granted but a football manager.
    Not a genius.

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    Mute Thinkshpake
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    Nov 23rd 2012, 11:39 PM

    Fact is Keane burns bridges everywhere he goes, he was a great footballer but clearly he is a truly repugnant individual

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    Mute David Carroll
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    Nov 24th 2012, 12:23 AM

    Keane as he’s alway shown is a traitor, first to Clough to want to leave for money, then McCarthy with Saipan and finally SAF with his judgemental view (as club captain) of junior players. A chip on his shoulder that’ll never pass !

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    Mute colm connolly
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    Nov 24th 2012, 12:56 AM

    He did not leave forest for the money he left to play with the best in the league forest were relegated that season and he was there best player I know loads of forest fans and have friends in Nottingham who say he was right to leave he owed nothing to the club and he deserved top flight football

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    Mute Joseph McGranaghan
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    Nov 24th 2012, 7:50 AM

    Clough had already left Forest by the time Keane left, it was Frank Clarke who sold him to United.

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    Mute Rory Mac Clancy
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    Nov 24th 2012, 12:25 PM

    Luis Suarez

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    Mute Valerie Mason
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    Nov 24th 2012, 8:27 AM

    Yawn

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