KEANE NOT SUCH A MONSTER
But for all the accolades bestowed on the Republic of Ireland international, it was clear that his tenacious and dogged midfield play - for which Keane is so infamous - occasionally boiled over into pure aggression, and there are worrying signs that little has changed coming into the start of the 2000-01 campaign.
After earning the rather ignominious record of being the first footballer to be red carded in a Charity Shield match since Billy Bremner and Kevin Keegan were both dismissed during Leeds and Liverpool`s famous 1974 clash, Keane has already received a three-match ban in the Premiership before the season has even started.
But, is the United star beyond redemption, or is this hot-headed streak a vital component of the Irishman‚ÇÖs play, a idiosyncrasy that everyone just has to accept is part of his game?
Keane has now been sent off seven times in his career, but only once during last season‚ÇÖs Premiership term. In fact, although the former Nottingham Forest star also picked up a fair collection of seven cautions, United‚ÇÖs midfield dynamo committed just 36 fouls in total.
To put that figure in some kind of perspective, the man that Keane fouled on Sunday to earn a red card - Gustavo Poyet - committed 42 misdemeanours during 1999-2000, while the player involved in the original fracas - Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink - fouled 73 times in 1998-99.
Not that Keane`s actions on Sunday were justifiable, but it perhaps indicates that the 29-year-old occasionally lashes out rather than being a perpetual sinner. It‚ÇÖs a personality trait often associated with Manchester United players, and this `petulant` image is one Alex Ferguson will be keen to steer clear of in 2000-01.
Memorably, former England international striker Alan Shearer said after his teams impressive 3-0 win over United at St James‚ÇÖ Park in 1999-2000 that: "They seem to think that because they are Manchester United you are not allowed to kick them, but we harassed and got in among them and they didn`t like it."
Ironically, the Red Devils` captain is available for United‚ÇÖs opening game at home to Newcastle, who were the last team to stop Ferguson`s champions from scoring at Old Trafford in the league. One feels that Keane may have a point to prove in removing himself from the `thug` image, and back to the determined and valuable midfielder for which he is so highly regarded.
Certainly no-one can question Keane`s effectiveness in the middle of the park - the Cork-born maestro won 62 tackles and made over 3,500 more accurate passes than any other United player last season as they continued their domination of the top flight.
Alongside the Irish international`s attacking qualities, his combative ability is undoubtedly one to be held in great esteem. Few would argue about the awards presented to Keane last season and despite the occasional losses of temper by the four-times Premiership winner, it is probably his fiery attitude towards the game that makes him so important to United.