Stam backs Keane rant

Jaap Stam has backed Roy Keane for his outspoken attack on his Man Utd team-mates.

The Old Trafford skipper laid into a number of United stars on the club's own television station, although the interview never made it to air because of its content.

It seemed to have the desired effect as United produced arguably their most stirring display of the season last weekend to defeat reigning Premiership champions Chelsea.

Former United idol Stam insists Keane's outburst came as no surprise to him, but the Milan stopper feels it was done with the club's best interests at heart.

"I'm told that Roy Keane criticised some of his team-mates in an MUTV interview last week, but that wasn't a big surprise to me!" he told Icons.

"Roy has never been afraid to speak his mind and personally I do not see anything wrong with that.

"I remember him openly slaughtering some of the Man United players when I was there, but Keano never called people names or got personal for the sake of it.

"He's just not the sort of man who wants to talk behind peoples' backs. He gets things out in the open.

"His criticism wasn't meant to hurt anyone, it was designed to make the other players get their act together.

"I'm sure Roy knew he would upset a few people but that it would do the team good in the long run.

"Sometimes players need to be kept on their toes and Roy Keane is an ideal captain in the way he does that."