February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Coming on as a second-half substitute, Keane was unable to prevent United from tasting defeat for the first time in 10 games and the Manchester club is now in third place in the table, four points adrift of reigning champions Arsenal going into the crucial Christmas and New Year period.
“Half an hour was plenty for Roy,” said Manchester United’s manager, Alex Ferguson. “He was well off his normal form, but he’s so inspirational that it was just a matter of getting him out there.”
Meanwhile, recently resigned Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has given his backing to Bryan Robson as the man most likely to take over the vacant job. Robson, a former Manchester United and England captain, was not a successful manager at Middlesbrough, before applying for the Republic position.
Others in the running to succeed McCarthy include Kenny Dalglish, John Aldridge and Brian Kerr. Former Northern Ireland manager Bryan Hamilton is currently taking soundings from the candidates on behalf of the FAI, and is expected to recommend a short list of maybe six some time in January.