• Premier League

Ferguson clinging to the power at United - Keane

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane believes Sir Alex Ferguson is still battling to cling on to some power at Old Trafford.

Former United boss Ferguson was withering in his assessment of Keane's character in his recent autobiography and now the outspoken Irishman has used his appearance in an ITV documentary, to be screened on UK television on Tuesday evening, to set the record straight.

Keane admitted he "shed a tear" the day he pulled out of the club's training ground for the last time, yet he pulled few punches as he re-opened his war of words with former manager Ferguson.

"Everything is about control and power," he said in the documentary that examines his feisty rivalry with former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira. "He's still striving for it now even though he's not the manager. There's massive ego involved in that."

Keane went on to suggest it was his job to "manage the dressing room" during his time as the club's captain, as he accused Ferguson of going back on one of his own vows by criticising his former players in his recent book.

"I do remember having conversations with the manager when I was at the club about loyalty and, in my opinion, I don't think he knows the meaning of the word," stated Keane, who said his relationship with Ferguson was now "non-existent".

"Of course I was upset [with the way his time at the club ended]. I did shed a few tears in my car for about two minutes, but I also told myself I had to get on with my life.

"I walked out with nothing, I had no club lined up and I was injured. I told David Gill I had been injured playing for United. I could have played for Manchester United easily for another couple of years."

Keane went on to reveal he nearly accepted offers to play abroad during his time at United and reflects on his decision to turn down offers to join Bayern Munich and Juventus in a typically feisty manner.

"I wouldn't say I had regrets about not going abroad, but I think it would have been a nice experience to play for a different team," he added.

"When my contract ran down on a couple of occasions I spoke to a couple of clubs, Bayern Munich, Juventus. And yeah I was very tempted I have to say, but there was a bit of fear.

"Contracts were agreed but I just never felt strong in wanting to go for it because I was very happy at United."

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