Fans back Keane

Keane demands Man Utd clear-out Full fans' reaction

The overwhelming majority of Manchester United fans on the 606 message boards support Roy Keane's outburst following the 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough.

United's skipper reportedly called for a player clear-out in the January transfer window in an interview on the club's television station.

The interview, in which the 34-year-old also criticised Rio Ferdinand, was subsequently withdrawn.

Keane is quoted as telling MUTV: "Just because you're paid £120,000-a-week and do well for 20 minutes against Spurs, you think you're a superstar.

"There's talk of putting this right in January and bringing players in. We should be doing the opposite."

United fan IC said: "Keane knows what it takes to be successful and he clearly doesn't see it in the next generation of players.

"He's 100% right about Ferdinand and the younger players - they are on a lot more money than they should be.

Keane is frustrated and who wouldn't be? Try being a Man Utd fan From JJ Have your say on 606

"Some of them would struggle to get into other teams, John O'Shea and Kieran Richardson spring to mind."

And M added: "If he had said this in private, would the players care? The publicity of this will make a bigger impact on them."

A number of fans are delighted that Keane is voicing their sentiments to the players.

R said: "Keane has only come out and said what every United fan has been thinking.

"Sure, players like Alan Smith and Darren Fletcher can do a job in their respective positions but that's not good enough when you play for a team like Manchester United - you must excel in your position week in, week out."

And Z echoed these thoughts, saying: "Too often the fans are treated like idiots who know nothing about football and will believe any rubbish coming out of the club ('We were unlucky', 'It's just a blip', 'He works hard for the team', etc).

"At least Keane is prepared to acknowledge what we can all see, that things need to improve."

J is another fan who believes Keane is in touch with the supporters: "Well done, at last someone saying what all fans feel.

"Give that man a lifelong contract at the club, and all the other players should show him and the manager the respect they deserve.

"He's quite right, too many well paid celebrities, coasting along, and too many average players."

The trouble is that when Keane says some people are not good enough for United, he is now included in that list 606 message board user A

Meanwhile, several supporters pointed out that it is Keane's duty, as captain, to motivate the players if they are under-performing.

Mr K said: "He should air his views, that is what a good club captain is all about.

"Maybe he should have kept it in the dressing room, but perhaps the players really do need a wake up call."

And S added: "A good captain needs to motivate the players around him, and those that played against Middlesborough on Saturday (with one or two exceptions) clearly need something to wake them up.

"If a kick up the backside is it, then that's what they should get, however this needs to be a co-ordinated thing with Sir Alex Ferguson, otherwise it gets out of control."

TR agrees that Keane was right in what he said and that he chose the right medium on which to air his views, but added: "Keane is quite blinkered if he feels that a verbal rocket works for all players. They don't."

However, TDE reckons this may spell the end for Keane at Old Trafford: "The biggest fallout from Keanogate will be that he quits very soon.

"He quit the Republic of Ireland when he had a bust up with Mick McCarthy and he will do the same now.

"He has the respect of the fans as he cares so much, though he may not always go about it in the right way."

And A believes that it is finally time for him to step aside: "The trouble is that when Keane says some people are not good enough for United, he is now included in that list.

"You can't criticise his commitment and desire, but he is just not the player he once was, and is no longer able to control the game as consistently as he used to.

"If he wanted the best for the club, he should have left a year or two ago - his staying is not the cause of United's decline, but it is a factor."