Roy Keane Leaves Old Trafford

digitclaUID: 150299

Manchester United reached an agreement for Roy Keane to leave United with immediate effect on Friday morning.

The agreement allows Keane to sign a long-term deal with another club to enable him to secure his playing career beyond what would have been the end of his contract at United in the summer.

The club has offered Roy a testimonial in recognition of his 12 ½ years at Old Trafford and thanks Roy for his major contribution to the Club during his years of service.

"It has been a great honour and privilege for me to play for Manchester United for over 12 years," Keane said in a statement.

"During my time at the Club I have been fortunate to play alongside some of the best players in the game and in front of the best supporters in the world.  At all times I have endeavoured to do my best for the management and the team.

"Whilst it is a sad day for me to leave such a great Club and Manager I believe that the time has now come for me to move on.

"After so many years, I will miss everyone at the Club. I send my best wishes for the future to the management, players, staff and supporters of the Club,” he added.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson described as the best midfielder of his generation.

"Roy has been a fantastic servant for Manchester United," Sir Alex said.

"The best midfield player in the world of his generation, he is already one of the great figures in our Club’s illustrious history.

"Roy has been central to the success of the Club in the last 12 ½ years and everyone at Old Trafford wishes him well in the rest of his career and beyond.”

Chief Executive David Gill added: "Roy has been a towering figure at the Club for over a decade.  His dedication, talent and leadership have been qualities that have marked him out as one of the true greats.

"On behalf of everyone at the Club, we wish him every success in his future career."

Communications Office,
Manchester United Limited



[wmv]http://61.243.190.37:88/yd1/0130/v16/0413/12.wma [/wmv]

digitclaUID: 150299

Farewell To A legend





ManUtd.com takes a look at a timeline of Roy Keane’s eventful United career…
"Since I saw him on his Forest debut I said to myself: 'Manchester United must have him'."
- Sir Alex Ferguson
19 July 1993 Signs for United from Nottingham Forest for a then British record fee of £3.75 million.
15 August 1993 Makes his United debut against Norwich City, in a 2-0 win at Carrow Road
18 August 1993 Scores two goals on his Old Trafford debut in a 3-0 win over Sheffield United
8 May 1994 Picks up first medal with United when the Reds win the second Premiership in a row
14 May 1994 Secures the first of three league and FA Cup doubles with a 4-0 win over Chelsea at Wembley
11 May 1996 After a barren season, Keane is a vital part of the Double Double squad, picking up the Man of the Match award in the FA Cup final win over Liverpool
11 May 1997 United clinch yet another Premiership title, Roy Keane’s seventh medal with the club
Summer 1997 Keane is made United captain following the departure of Eric Cantona
3 August 1997 Keane lifts his first trophy as United captain, the Charity Shield, following victory over Chelsea
27 September 1997 Suffers a serious cruciate ligament injury against Leeds at Elland Road and misses the rest of the season
12 August 1998 Makes his United comeback in a Champions League qualifier at home to Polish side LKS Lodz, the first match on the way to a triumphant Treble
14 April 1999 Sent off for two yellow card offences in the dramatic FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal
21 April 1999 Runs the show in an epic Champions League semi-final second leg against Juventus, scoring United’s first goal. However, he is booked late in the second half, which means he will be suspended for the Champions League final
16 May 1999 Lifts the Premiership trophy after beating Spurs 2-1 at Old Trafford
22 May 1999 Starts the FA Cup final against Newcastle but is stretchered off after only eight minutes following a late challenge by Gary Speed. However, he hobbles up the Wembley steps to receive the trophy from Prince Charles following a 2-0 victory.
26 May 1999 Forced to watch from the stands as the Reds clinch the Treble in the Nou Camp.
May 2000 Voted the Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year and the PFA’s Player of the Year as he captains United to another Premiership title
21 April 2001 Sent off for a tackle on Alfie Inge Haaland of Manchester City
May 2001 Wins his sixth Premiership medal, and fourth as captain
11 May 2003 Lifts the Premiership trophy for the final time as United captain
22 May 2004 His last medal for the Reds turns out to be an FA Cup winner’s medal following the 3-0 win over Millwall in Cardiff.
18 September 2005 Breaks his foot in a 0-0 draw against Liverpool at Anfield, in the match that turns out to be his last for the club
18 November 2005 Announces he has left the club