carlyluvsunited
27-12-2007, 08:12 AM
Keane stares into abyss by Simon Rushworth
Roy Keane, the former Manchester United midfielder, has learnt a series of painful
lessons in his first season as a Premier League manager, but none could have
hurt quite so much as that he was forced to endure at the hands of his one-time
employers.
After 12 years patrolling the Old Trafford beat, the Irishman will always be
guaranteed cult status among those who support the biggest club in the world
but such outstanding service merited no more than a rousing reception from the
traveling hordes on Wednesday.
On the field the reunion was merciless as Manchester United eased to a 4-0
victory and brutally exposed the gulf in class between the top flightÂ’s haves
and have-nots.
Sir Alex Ferguson later conceded Sunderland were suffering their 'stickiest patch
of the season so far' but the Scot will lose little sleep over the fact that his slick
side made things even more uncomfortable for Keane.
The discomfort will only intensify should the Wearside club fail to win against
Bolton Wanderers at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
"We're in a sticky patch," admitted Keane, echoing his former mentorÂ’s
assessment of a club in decline. "We're in a massive fight. That was a harsh
lesson. But if you're going to get beaten 4-0 at home then why not to a very
good team?
"My old club will win the league. I said it earlier this season and I've seen nothing
to change my mind. Manchester United were missing players but they still flexed
their muscles. We could say they took their foot off the gas after half-time but
the game was already lost by then."
A neat exchange of passes between the full back, Wes Brown, and Cristiano
Ronaldo allowed Wayne Rooney to open the floodgates.
Ten minutes later KeaneÂ’s task became almost impossible as Rooney turned
provider to double the visitorsÂ’ lead. His pinpoint cross landed at the feet of
Louis Saha and the France international could not have asked for an easier
opportunity.
It was Ronaldo who capped a mesmerizing half with a trademark free kick in the
45th minute, after Dwight Yorke fouled Darren Fletcher 22 yards from goal, and
poor Keane appeared utterly perplexed.
Unsurprisingly United eased off after the break with Ronaldo making way for the
South Korean Park Ji-Sung, who made his first appearance since suffering a
serious knee injury in March, and Nemanja Vidic stepping aside for the Spanish
under-21 international Gerard Pique.
Rooney spurned a glorious chance to extend the visitors' advantage when he
fired Nani's 76th minute cross over the bar.
But there was still time for Saha to score his second goal of the game, the French
striker stroking home a penalty four minutes from time after Danny Collins had
brought down Nani.
"RonaldoÂ’s free kick was the killer," added Keane.
"We might have felt we had a chance at 2-0 down but you donÂ’t come back to
beat Man Utd 4-3. The fact is that they clearly have some quality players and
thereÂ’s no other way of dressing that up.
"After watching that display my money is still on Manchester United winning the
title. TheyÂ’re a great attacking team and they have two decent centre halves
too. ThatÂ’s what you need to win leagues."
As for Ferguson, he can look forward to a title battle in which he believes the form
of Wayne Rooney may be critical.
"I think Wayne is getting back to what we would expect of him," the Scot
said. "Forwards tend to go on runs and this might be the start for him."
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Roy Keane, the former Manchester United midfielder, has learnt a series of painful
lessons in his first season as a Premier League manager, but none could have
hurt quite so much as that he was forced to endure at the hands of his one-time
employers.
After 12 years patrolling the Old Trafford beat, the Irishman will always be
guaranteed cult status among those who support the biggest club in the world
but such outstanding service merited no more than a rousing reception from the
traveling hordes on Wednesday.
On the field the reunion was merciless as Manchester United eased to a 4-0
victory and brutally exposed the gulf in class between the top flightÂ’s haves
and have-nots.
Sir Alex Ferguson later conceded Sunderland were suffering their 'stickiest patch
of the season so far' but the Scot will lose little sleep over the fact that his slick
side made things even more uncomfortable for Keane.
The discomfort will only intensify should the Wearside club fail to win against
Bolton Wanderers at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
"We're in a sticky patch," admitted Keane, echoing his former mentorÂ’s
assessment of a club in decline. "We're in a massive fight. That was a harsh
lesson. But if you're going to get beaten 4-0 at home then why not to a very
good team?
"My old club will win the league. I said it earlier this season and I've seen nothing
to change my mind. Manchester United were missing players but they still flexed
their muscles. We could say they took their foot off the gas after half-time but
the game was already lost by then."
A neat exchange of passes between the full back, Wes Brown, and Cristiano
Ronaldo allowed Wayne Rooney to open the floodgates.
Ten minutes later KeaneÂ’s task became almost impossible as Rooney turned
provider to double the visitorsÂ’ lead. His pinpoint cross landed at the feet of
Louis Saha and the France international could not have asked for an easier
opportunity.
It was Ronaldo who capped a mesmerizing half with a trademark free kick in the
45th minute, after Dwight Yorke fouled Darren Fletcher 22 yards from goal, and
poor Keane appeared utterly perplexed.
Unsurprisingly United eased off after the break with Ronaldo making way for the
South Korean Park Ji-Sung, who made his first appearance since suffering a
serious knee injury in March, and Nemanja Vidic stepping aside for the Spanish
under-21 international Gerard Pique.
Rooney spurned a glorious chance to extend the visitors' advantage when he
fired Nani's 76th minute cross over the bar.
But there was still time for Saha to score his second goal of the game, the French
striker stroking home a penalty four minutes from time after Danny Collins had
brought down Nani.
"RonaldoÂ’s free kick was the killer," added Keane.
"We might have felt we had a chance at 2-0 down but you donÂ’t come back to
beat Man Utd 4-3. The fact is that they clearly have some quality players and
thereÂ’s no other way of dressing that up.
"After watching that display my money is still on Manchester United winning the
title. TheyÂ’re a great attacking team and they have two decent centre halves
too. ThatÂ’s what you need to win leagues."
As for Ferguson, he can look forward to a title battle in which he believes the form
of Wayne Rooney may be critical.
"I think Wayne is getting back to what we would expect of him," the Scot
said. "Forwards tend to go on runs and this might be the start for him."
www.news.yahoo.com
Click below to join manutdtalk.com forums to read and
discuss all breaking news on all things United !!! Come talk to us….
http://manutdtalk.com/forums/register.php