supposed ‘quality’ paper printing an ill-informed rant that
would be better suited to the Super Soaraway Sun:
‘If I were J P McMoneybags and John Magnanimousier I'd have
several more questions to add to the 90-odd already posed
about the running of Manchester United. These would deal
with the possibility Sir Alex Ferguson might have lost the
plot, and could be in need of some quality grazing time.
‘He obviously thinks it's a tough life and it shows on his
face. His statement that Keane's stamping on the Porto
goalkeeper wasn't malicious, and not the sort of thing Roy
would do, gives some indication of his confused state of
mind. To portray Keane as a misunderstood victim is a
nonsense and an insult to anyone who has followed the
player's career over the past decade.
‘Keane is a compulsive offender and therefore a liability.
This is not the first time he has left his side in the lurch
in a key European game. He missed a European Cup final
because of his indiscipline.
‘What is more, if I were a major shareholder in Manchester
United I would want to know why David Beckham was sold when
he was the club's best player as well as their prize asset.
I would want to know if Sir Alex Ferguson's relationship -
or lack of it - with the player was a factor.
‘As they encircle Old Trafford looking for faults, it must
encourage Messrs McManus and Magnier no end that the defence
of the prize they seek is in the hands of such a deep-
thinking individual.
‘They will also have noted disarray in the ranks of those
supporters who form Ferguson's Praetorian Guard and stage
demonstrations against Messrs McManus and Magnier but
threatened to ignore their hero's request not to protest at
the Cheltenham Festival.
‘If they had a sensible picture of what is really wrong at
Old Trafford and who is responsible for the current mess,
they would picket Sir Roy Gardner, demanding to know how the
directors allowed the manager to create a situation whereby
the club might be lost because of a copulating racehorse.
‘Not that these particular supporters will ever be convinced
Sir Alex is to blame. It is not his fault. He's perfect.
Similarly, Ferdinand is innocent, Keane misunderstood and
Beckham can't play.
‘What the board should have done is tell the manager to
settle the dispute quickly or pack his bags. There was a
time, not too long ago, when such a suggestion would have
been unthinkable. Nowadays it looks like the only sensible
solution.’