United defend Keane stance

Manchester United yesterday took the provocative step of contradicting the new Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr over Roy Keane's decision to retire from international football.

The Premiership club said that their doctor, Mike Stone, had fully informed Kerr in advance of the seriousness of the hip injury that the United midfielder and former Republic captain had sustained. In their statement, Manchester United also disclosed that Keane had discussed the prospect of retiring completely. "Roy decided it was not the course of action he wanted to take," the statement added. "But once the decision to continue playing was taken, any way of limiting the number of games he plays in is in Roy's best interests."

This version of events sharply contradicts Kerr, who said that Keane had given him an "unequivocal commitment" that he would return when the two men met last Thursday, only to change his mind the following day after a meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson. Kerr is said to have been surprised by the enthusiasm to return shown by the man who walked out on Ireland prior to last year's World Cup.