Life in FM

Roy Keane, one of many Manchester United’s legends, captaining the side during a very successful period in United history, using his passion for the game and aggressive style to spur his players on and terrify the opposition in his wake. Keane who was born in Cork 36 years ago, started his career at Irish side Cobh Ramblers, not staying their long in 1990 Keane was picked up by Nottingham Forest, playing under one of the greatest managers of modern times Brain Clough, a manager who was in a similar mould to Keane himself with a passion to win. Clough was one of the few people brave enough to have a go at Keane and actually punch him, but Roy didn’t hold any ill feelings. Forest though, in 1993 were relegated and a hot prospect such as Roy Keane was not going to stick around, funny enough I was reading a local newspaper not so long ago that had been kept by my mother due to my appearance in it, I was shocked to see that Blackburn were initially the favourites for Keane’s signature, but a day before the paperwork was due to be complete Keane cancelled as Alex Ferguson was able to persuade him to come to United. There he stayed for the majority of his career playing 323 games and part of the treble winning side at the Nou Camp. Full of controversy during his career, bust ups with managers and opposition players reinforced his hard man image. Keane spent a brief period at Celtic before he ended his playing career.

Keane has only been in management for a short time and he went straight to the top, touted as being the next number 2 at United to train him up for the top job once Alex retired as every former player is, or as a successor to Gordon Strachan at Celtic. But instead he went to struggling Championship side Sunderland joining up with former Irish team mate Niall Quinn who had previously been the manager as well as chairman. When Keane took over, Sunderland were at the foot of the table, but Keane was able to turn the tables and win the Championship in his first season and now looks safe to keep them in the Premiership for a second season.

So with him touted as the next United top boss, now with winning experience with Sunderland can Keane transfer this to the club he captained for 8 years he has alot of respect in Manchester, I have given him the chance to prove that he has what it takes to push United for more titles. Keane looks like a decent manager tactically and the quality of players should mask any deficiencies he has in this area, able to motivate the side for those big occasions and spot players of all different kinds from miles off.

Roy Keane attributes

Season 2007/08

Sir Alex Ferguson has probably put together one of the best squads in Manchester United history, boasting the talents of Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez and Ferdinand just a handful of talent at the squad. Keane didn’t feel any need to disrupt that team, deciding instead to bring in a Norwegian striker of 16 Joshua King, who arrived on a free transfer and looks a pretty good player to put into the youth set-up. The rest of the youth players found themselves out on loan to get valuable first team experience.

Roy’s first game came in the shape of a Charity Shield game, a win against title rivals Chelsea would surely set up for a good season, both fielded strong sides for the game and Manchester United came out on top, Rooney and Tevez both scoring early in the game to record the first win. In the league the start wasn’t so sweet, United had to travel to The Riverside, a team renowned for getting results at the big four, Rooney was sent for an early bath and once that happened they lost any lethal striking ability, they had the chances but Tevez had a terrible game allowing Middlesbrough to take a point. Things weren’t looking good once again as at home Bolton were allowed a early 2-0 lead Anelka and Diouf scoring early, but a Nani hattrick being the saviour of the game as United came back. The next game at Old Trafford wasn’t so easy, at West Ham another side that Manchester United were expected to win but The Hammers were allowed to dominate play at Old Trafford something the fans didn’t want to stand for West Ham took a 3-1 victory back to London. But games started to pick up and Keane managed to put a string of 3 wins together before losing to rivals Liverpool again at Old Trafford. When it came to December a string of 7 wins did propel United back up to familiar territory of the top four, but any challenge for the league looked dead and buried especially as they only took 4 points from their rival sides for the title and failed to even beat Manchester City. Keane’s Premiership season would be seen as one to right off as a learning curve, a side like the one available should be able to see out the mid table sides which really did hamper the season. United did end up with 4th place quite a distance away from Blackburn who took 5th, but miles away from winners Liverpool.

The poor season could be seen through the average ratings of the players, the spine of the squad Rooney, Ferdinand, Ronaldo and Tevez all finished well but the rest of the squad failed to deliver, Anderson played 10 games and took a rating of 5.90 unacceptable in any top side. Tevez finished at the top scorer taking 20 goals were as top performer was Rooney who scored 14 himself, but played the target man superbly. Keane looked at a few youngsters allowing Fraizer Campbell a few games in the side and he scored 5 goals and it will be interesting to see more of him next season.

In cup competitions though it was much different, Keane managed to reach the final of the first competition he ever won as a player, the League Cup. First of all Owen Hardgreaves was able to lead a weakened side to a 1-0 victory, a freekick was fired past Muller for the only goal of the game. In a week that seen United play Wigan twice they were able to get consecutive wins against them at the JJB the young players were allowed on the pitch, Campbell and Brandy both went out to gain first team places and comfortably beat Wigan. The quarter finals was against Boro and this time they were not able to hold on Tevez and Giggs both punished the Teeside club to set up a side to against Championship promotion hopefuls West Brom. In Bromich amongst a strong wind and heavy downpour the nancy boys of United refused to play, missing Ronaldo and Tevez just incase they got their hair wet, West Brom were allowed into the game, but the difference of the two sides showed when United were able to absurd most of the pressure. Again the young players were called upon and Campbell and Hardgreaves gave United the goals they needed for a trip to Wembley. Arsenal awaited in the final and in a closely contested game Ronaldo was the only difference between the two sides scoring on the 70th minute before Giggs was sent off, but the goal advantage allowed United to see out the rest of the game.

The FA cup wasn’t so successful after beating Blackpool 4-0, Saha faced his old club Fulham at Old Trafford and again the theatre of dreams became a theatre of nightmares and two goals in the first half from Fulham was enough to see them through. The Champions League saw familiar rivals drawn together as United would once again travel to Rome. Despite losing in Italy United managed to finish top of their group and faced Valencia in the next round. But the Spanish club were to strong and United made an early exit, again it was failing to win at Old Trafford that was the cause of the problems.

So not a good season for The Red Devil’s the fans will want to see a turn around quickly if Keane wishes to take United to the same places he did while he was wearing the shirt of the field.

Season 2008/09

Again another quiet season in the transfer market for Keane, two young players arrived from Brazil while some of the young guns were allowed to seek first team football elsewhere. Which again allowed Roy to concentrate on getting the current breed of players to the top of the league. But the season started just the same as it did previous season, a win at home to Blackburn was hopeful, two draws against Wigan and Liverpool both at Old Trafford had the fans thinking whether this guy the right man for the job? Manchester United were again unable to beat the mid table sides at home and again this was the root of all the problems. On the road United were fantastic only Chelsea managed a better record and again United finished 4th and this time the gap between the other teams was closing, a vast improvement would be needed to keep hold of Champions League football. Looking at the record section at the club, United went through 19 unbeaten games, which shows how hard they are to beat but with Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney in the side they surely should be winning more games and it wasn’t through a lack of trying Rooney and Tevez combined scored 57 goals and there was plenty of players available to supply the goals just not when it most mattered.

It was a better overall team performance Rooney again finished as top performer and the young players are still coming through and looking good, Ben Foster eventually breaking in the first team as the aging Van Der Saar sees the his career winding down, while Campbell continues to score goals when called upon. But Roy did continue winning traditions in cup competitions, the League Cup campaign began at Bolton, this time the home tie wasn’t something to fear and Carlos Tevez’s struck twice along with Carrick, a 9th minute wonder strike sent United through comfortably. Disposing of Charlton in the next round, Villa came up to Old Trafford for the quarter finals, a game played right down to the wire United came from 2-0 down in a magnificent first half. Villa didn’t play to well but again United were unable to convert their dominance into the game and it went to the lottery of penalties. Aston Villa converted all their penalties while Vidic and Giggs both had shots saved sending them out.

The FA cup began with a few easy draws a game at Preston won 2-1 Tevez’s double strike, Wengers’ Luton were next and again at Old Trafford United failed to convert chances, but Campbell made sure his side wouldn’t face humiliation. It was the big boys next in the cup and to arrive at Old Trafford was Arsenal, this time the United team looked like that of old as Tevez and Ronaldo punished Arsenal for not getting a grip of the game. Next was a familiar sight in Aston Villa this time they would meet in the cup at Villa Park, The game was just as hotly contested as the League Cup clash, Kieran Lee managed to get his first goal for the club. But a Luke Moore goal gave the club a tie at Old Trafford. Where again the game went down to the wire and it was penalties again, this time there was no Giggs and Vidic was able to convert his spot kick. Misses from Maloney and Petrov meant that United went through to face Spurs in the semi finals. Two late goals from the stars of the season Rooney and Tevez sent United to the final where they would play West Ham. In a strange game were both teams could have won and if West Ham would have made more of their chances they could have, but Dean Astons goal was cancelled out by Evra’s goal to take it to half time, with United losing Ferdinand and O’Shea after two yellow cards it looked like the ball was in the Court of West Ham, but an early goal in Extra time from Tevez secured the win and West Ham were unable to make the two man advantage count.

The Champions League draw gave United an easy ride as they had Spainish side Sevilla, Club Brugge and Rapid Vienna needless to say they reached the next round top of the table and faced Benfica in the knock out stage and this time the away leg came first. United definitely enjoyed their time away from Manchester, maybe all the rain there had made them lazy, but while at Benfica the Portuguese were thrashed 4-1 after The Reds went behind early in the game, with that it looked unlikely that Benfica would score 4 goals at Old Trafford and in fact Tevez and Rooney scored goals to secure a double. But when it came to some real competition United were no match and this time the tables were reversed as AC Milan beat United 4-1 at the San Siro and a poor display at home meant that United failed to progress.

Season 2009/10

Roy Keane finally got the cheque book out and spent some money, but it was only on the one player, Ecuadorian international Antonio Valencia, who after a brief season in the Premiership went back to Villarreal, not really looking exciting and has yet to reach the potential his attributes suggest. But Keane was still willing to pay £14.75m for the player. Romanian, Nicolae Mitea also decided to join up with the side when his contract was over at Ajax, The 25 year old looked good to take Giggs’ place who sadly ended his long career at the end of the season, but will stay in the game as a coach. But what was surprising that a few of the talented youngsters were let go, Ben Foster signed for free with Barcelona and young defender Pique went to Valencia, it was also a shock to see that Roy decided to send Nani out to Belgium to get some first team access as well, he was definitely gambling now.

After winning the FA cup Keane returned to the place he started his Manchester management career, at Wembley against Chelsea in the Community Shield. The game went pretty well once again as it did two seasons back. Wright-Phillips put Chelsea into the lead, but it wasn’t for long as a minute later Evra hit back from a counter attack from the spot. Tevez scored two goals to finish the game off and take the shield back to Manchester. But the league didn’t start off to well a defeat by Newcastle 3-0 in the opening game just reflected the whole of Keane’s reign. United only gained 3 points against West Ham and then losing to Spurs. Keane seen something had to be done and the prawn sandwiches were removed from the staff canteen which kicked off a great run of form and United were unbeatable and taking out Arsenal along the way. It was only league winners Liverpool that were able to stagger the run. It was a good season for Keane able to put wins together, home and away and putting together one of the most consistent sides in the league Keane looked to have found his feet, putting in a Premiership winning performances. But Liverpool were the thorn in United’a side and the only team to take a maximum of 6 points away from United all season. This proved crucial when it came to deciding the league as United were unable to capitalise on the bad form that Liverpool had at the end of the season, because of dropped points against the Red’s and also Reading. This meant that Manchester United had to settle for 2nd separated only on goal difference.

But it was an encouraging season for Keane, the team was going in the right direction and performing more consistency having the second best Home record in the league. Rooney as usual being the better player and this time getting just as many goals as Tevez. The whole side was brilliant this season and Keane’s signings impressed the fans, Valencia lined up on the right and partnering Ronaldo on the left gaving United that killer punch. Valencia actually finished the 2nd best player of the season gaining a 7.28 which went along way towards his price tag. More players were showing promise for the future, Kieran Lee continued his rotation status, but like a defender in a Brazilian mold, getting himself up to put the ball into the path on a oncoming striker.

Unfortunately though for the first time it was a trophyless season, an early exit in the League Cup to Birmingham didn’t bare well with the fans, when it came at Old Trafford, the fans thought it was the same old problem. It was a better story in the FA cup as three easy draws against Championship sides were disposed easily, Campbell again using the competition to show that he can compete against Tevez and Rooney for some time on the pitch. But it was the common enemy Liverpool that disposed of United in the 6th round. John O’Shea was sent off early and when Wes Brown was brought on for Tevez, United lost any attacking flair to their side, Kuyt and Torres punished the side and went dominated the game at Anfield.

It was the same old story when it came to Europe though, one of the cup competitions that Keane couldn’t progress to far in. In the group stages United met up with Valencia once again and the Spanish club continued to cause problems and in the group stages United failed to beat them losing on the trip to Spain. That meant that Keane’s side finished runners up in the group with also contained HSV and Dinamo Bucharest. The draw pipped United against former Manchester United player Paul Ince and his Inter Milan side. The first tie was in England at Old Trafford and Paul Ince must have loved the chance to come back to the stadium where he played 206 games. Inter were strong in a game that Man U as usual dominated. But on form Julio Cesar was able to keep both Rooney and Tevez out of the goal and take a clean slate to Italy and at the San Siro for the second consecutive time Keane’s European dream was dashed, but it was all left so late as Tevez put United into an early lead in a close game, the Manchester United fans were biting their nails even when Rossi fired in late on the 80th minute, but at the time with the away goal United were through. But as the 90th minute drew closer Javier Saviola turned the tables by scoring a second goal at the San Siro and watched United fall at the knock outs once again.

But with another season without a league victory, United have now gone through their longest spell without a title winning season. This Roy Keane fully knew being a part of the winning team for so long. The fans pressure was too much for the hard man and Keane decided that he wasn’t up to the job and left the club at the end of the season.

After Roy Keane

It was Mihajlovic who took over at Old Trafford next, with a track record of winning Serie A with Cagliari a season after winning promotion, Paul Ince’s former number two looked the best candidate to take over an already talented squad of players. Even after spending some money on the team Sinisa was unable to shift that runners-up space. United finished 2nd for four years running before Deiter Eiltis came in from Italy and was the manager able to push the squad that little further up and took the league, with actually fewer points then the last two seasons, this though came to the relief of the fans to see the familiar trophy return home. Eilts left to manage his home country and Hugo Sanchez continued winning ways and taking the league twice and returned United to English dominance once again. Roy Keane never returned to management have resigning from Manchester United.

In conclusion then Roy Keane isn’t the man to take the top job in Manchester, he looked good on paper although he didn’t put his scouting skills into practice to bring in new players, although Valencia was a really good capture giving his side balance in a more attacking minded game at home, which came through in his final season. But with the players he had and the tactical ability his attributes suggested Roy Keane really should have been a little more competitive when it came to taking the league off Liverpool. But Keane was going in the right direction maybe if he didn’t leave the side would have took the league eventually. But looking at United’s best eleven I think that one of the problems that the team had was down the left hand side. Until Valencia came in there wasn’t anyone down that side that gave the club balance, when Fletcher and Kieran Lee get into the the best eleven it shows you what problems a lack of spending can give you. Keane had the money value to put into those positions some of the best players in the world which could have meant the difference between second and first place.

Roy Keane’s Best Eleven