PREMIERSHIP NEWS: Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy kept the Old Trafford switchboard busy yesterday searching for the latest updates on the injury to his international captain, Roy Keane, who was stretchered off with a torn hamstring during Tuesday night's Champions League win at Deportivo La Coruna.
Keane's injury should not affect his chances of playing in the World Cup, but it may have ended his domestic season.
The Corkman walked gingerly as he boarded yesterday's flight back to Manchester.
"It's not too good," he admitted, and it was clear United's first win against Spanish opposition on their own soil came with a heavy price.
Alex Ferguson relies upon the talismanic Keane more than anyone, and the manager could not conceal his dismay about such a debilitating loss at this crucial stage of the season.
"Roy will be out for a minimum of three to four weeks. But these things can take six weeks," he said. "If we get to the (Champions League) semi-finals, I don't think Roy will be there."
Of more immediate consquence, Keane's absence will be a significant setback to United's hopes of winning a fourth successive Premiership title. The advantage already lay with Arsenal, and to a lesser extent Liverpool, and now does even more so - particularly as Keane will miss the end-of-season clash with Arsene Wenger's side at Old Trafford.
With only 41 days to go before the European Cup final, there must be genuine fears, too, about whether he will have recovered in time should United reach Hampden. It would be a cruel blow for Keane, who also missed the defeat of Bayern Munich in the 1999 decider.
"I think the players owe Roy a final," said Ferguson, who will now rely on Nicky Butt in the holding midfield position. "He (Butt) has never let us down," added Ferguson. "He's a certainty for the World Cup. In fact, if it wasn't for Steven Gerrard I think he would be in the first XI."
Like Keane, David Beckham limped to his seat on the plane from La Coruna to Manchester, his left ankle heavily strapped and a bandage protecting his right shin. Grimacing and clearly in considerable discomfort, he gratefully fell into his seat; his team-mates burst into applause.
Ferguson's assertion that the England captain would be fit within a week was an unexpected diagnosis. However, there was little doubting the relief in Manchester United's camp after tests revealed his injury was not as serious as initially feared.
He went straight from Manchester airport to the treatment room at United's training ground, and will have an X-ray once the swelling has gone down. As well as severe bruising, he has suffered two deep gashes but, crucially, the doctors have found no damage to the ligaments or bone and, wearing flip-flops, Beckham was able to drive himself home.
"I'm not thinking about David in terms of Saturday's game at Leicester, but hopefully he will back next Wednesday," said Ferguson.
Guardian Service
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