Roy Maurice Keane (born in Cork, 10 August 1971) is the manager of Sunderland A.F.C. in England's Coca-Cola Championship league. He is a former Irish international footballer, Irish team captain, Manchester United team captain and Celtic player.

During his time at United, he was known for his inspirational leadership, excellent tackling and distribution abilities. He is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders to ever play in the modern era. Additionally, ex-player and BBC pundit Alan Hansen is of the opinion that Keane is the best player to have played in the Premier League since its inception in 1992. Manager Alex Ferguson regards him as his best player ever during his 20-year reign at Manchester United. [1]. Keane has led United to nine major honours during his captaincy from 1998 to 2005, making him Manchester United's most successful skipper.

Although Keane attracted praise as a player, he also had disciplinary problems, being sent off eleven times in his career, and notably suspended twice for the same foul on Alf Inge Haaland, once for the foul and again after admitting in his autobiography that the foul was deliberate. At the start of the 2005-2006 season, he left United after publicly criticising his teammates for their lackluster performances, signing with Celtic for the remainder of the Scottish Premier League season.

After the retirement of Éric Cantona in 1997, Keane became team captain, although he missed most of the 1997/1998 season because of a cruciate ligament injury, caused by an ill-timed challenge on Leeds United player Alf Inge Haaland. As Keane lay prone on the ground, Haaland stood over Keane, accusing him of feigning injury. United were top of the league at the time, but their form dropped and they finished the season without a trophy.

In 2001, Keane played against Alf-Inge Haaland for the first time since their clash in 1998, and was sent off for a knee-high tackle which left Haaland with a serious injury. He initially recieved a three game suspension. Keane subsequently admitted in an autobiography that he intended "to hurt" Haaland, which saw him banned for a further five matches and fined £150,000. Haaland retired from football shortly afterwards, previously stating on his website that the cause of this was a recurring problem in his leg, rather than Keane's tackle.

My favorite Keane quote: [To Republic of Ireland team manager Mick McCarthy] “Mick, you're a liar...you're a fucking wanker. I didn't rate you as a player, I don't rate you as a manager, and I don't rate you as a person. You're a fucking wanker and you can stick your World Cup up your arse. The only reason I have any dealings with you is that somehow you are the manager of my country! You can stick it up your bollocks.”

Eric Cantona on Roy Keane:

"The Irish public should bow to the feet of Roy Keane, not slate him as he is the best player they will ever have to boast"

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_keane)