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The head coach, Sir Alex Ferguson, admitted that it was "insanely" difficult to release Roy Keane. Last Friday, 34-year-old R. Keane officially left "Old Trafford" by mutual agreement after more than 12 years spent at the club.
Ferguson, speaking for the first time about his departure, said: "Players get old. It's hard to come to terms with that when you coach the same team for a long time. I have to react to changes faster than other coaches because we have higher goals."
On Tuesday, many English newspapers quoted Sir Alex Ferguson's comments about Roy Keane. To "Daily Mail" journalists, he said: "When you have to make responsible decisions, we only want the best for the club and strive to keep it at the top. Of course, it's sad when a player leaves the team with which they have achieved great victories, but football never stands still. Sometimes you have to grab the bull by the horns. At this moment, we must prove what we are worth."
Nevertheless, Ferguson refused to comment further on Keane's departure and when journalists reminded him that fans were waiting for an explanation, he simply replied: "I believe they are waiting – I am also interested."
So far, neither side has provided an official statement about rumors claiming that Ferguson had fallen out with Keane even before their mutual agreement. Keane's contract with United was set to expire next summer, but public criticism of his team during an interview with MUTV, which was not broadcast, hastened his departure. However, Sir Alex Ferguson refused to confirm these rumors, while it is believed that Keane himself signed a secret agreement prohibiting the disclosure of departure details.
On Tuesday, during the match against Villarreal, "Man Utd" ran onto the field for the first time without Roy Keane in the presence of their fans at Old Trafford. Ferguson mentioned that he was not worried about the fans protesting against Keane's departure.
"I think Roy would agree that the most important thing is to focus on the competition," Ferguson said. "I am not concerned about the negative reaction of the fans. Our fans have supported the team not only today, but throughout its history. That's what makes them charming. Let's go back four or five decades when we lost the team in 1958 – it was certainly no accident that the FA Cup final jerseys were adorned with a phoenix afterward. This club has always risen."
In Ferguson's list of candidates to take over the vacant captaincy, three names are mentioned: Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ryan Giggs, and Gary Neville. Van Nistelrooy led the team in the match against Villarreal, as Gary Neville is recovering from injury and Ryan Giggs is still undergoing treatment.
"I am very fortunate that my team has always been led by excellent captains, and Ruud could be just that," Ferguson said. "Every time after the game, when I listen to Ruud's comments, he always speaks well. He speaks clearly, precisely, accurately, and intelligently. As for Ryan, a person who has played in this club for so long and has captained several times deserves it. That says it all. Then we come to Gary Neville, who, like Ryan, has been playing for Man Utd for a long time. He is a loyal player, sometimes behaves very emotionally and enthusiastically, has the qualities necessary for a captain. Not to mention the other players in the team, such as Alan Smith or Wayne Rooney, who would willingly take on the captain's armband – Wayne constantly reminds me of that – and we shouldn't forget about Rio either, but I will choose from the three mentioned candidates."
