Manchester United beat Benfica and firmly ranked first in the group, and the whole team was very happy.

But at this moment, a piece of news released by the media caused a great shock in the Premier League: Manchester United captain and spiritual leader Roy Keane said he would leave Old Trafford after the end of the season!

It is not surprising that Keane, who is already 34 years old, is entering the countdown at Old Trafford. His contract with Manchester United expires in June next year, when he is about to turn 35. Keane has been plagued by injuries since last season and his condition has also declined significantly. Therefore, Manchester United has not renewed his contract with him, which has caused Keane's dissatisfaction.

"I had no intention of targeting anyone, but I realized last season that this was my last year, and now I still think so," Keane said. "You have to learn and be ready to move on, I leave Manchester United, but life is not over. Going into management, or going somewhere else as a coach, is all an opportunity. But I'd better do a liquidation and start over, I don't want to coach at Manchester United."

Keane told Manchester United's TV station: "If Manchester United gives me a new contract, I would be surprised. I have a gut feeling that it would be too late if Manchester United only remembers to renew the contract in April next year. I hope to figure it out in January. I hope to play for another year or two, and it would be a good experience for me in other countries. When I say I want to switch to other teams, I hope it is not a British team, otherwise I will be hard to tolerate it. I want to try coaching and experience another atmosphere. I will be 35 next summer, and it is time to leave. Manchester United will have good players to replace me."

Not only did Keane reveal to the media that he was about to leave Manchester United, but he also raised the conflict between himself and Ferguson to the point of view: "My relationship with Ferguson is indeed very bad. We have a bad relationship, and there are often confrontations and quarrels. But I always respect him and he has made his greatest contribution to the development of Manchester United."

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Keane's words were like a deep water bomb, and suddenly exploded among the somewhat dull British media.

When the news came, Manchester United coaches expressed regret and said that Keane was irreplaceable. Teammates and industry insiders who worked with him also greeted each other, praising Keane's contribution to Manchester United and its impact on the Premier League. Only Wenger hinted that Keane might be putting pressure on the club in this way, forcing the board of directors to negotiate with him as soon as possible.

Ferguson compared Keane to Manchester United's heart, and his reliance on him was self-evident. In 1999, Keane sacrificed himself to send Manchester United to the finals of the Champions League, which made Ferguson attract him as his confidant and became his spokesperson on the court. For many years, it was this heart that kept beating that inspired Manchester United from victory to victory.

But metabolism is inevitable. Keane will always have a day of success. Even with the state of Maldini and the evergreen of Sir Stanley Matthews back then, no one can play in modern football until he is over fifty years old.

In this industry, especially enjoying years of reputation, it is inevitable that you will not be able to fall in love with it. It is just that some objective factors will force you to make a choice. Although it has not reached the moment of the hammer, what Keane can do under the influence of both subjective and objective factors is only to express a certain attitude, although it is temporary.

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Subjectively, Keane felt that his condition was not as good as before. Since the 2002 World Cup, he has been repeatedly disturbed by surgery and suspension. As a master who has been rolling in top professional football for many years, he knew that his peak period had passed. Although he would not be questioned about "will be able to eat", his role on the court was obviously not as good as before, and he was limited to serving as a scavenger and protecting the defense.

But this is not Keane's style. He is good at running around the field and looking back. Is it because he is not physically fit and can only do something about hens protecting his chicks and cannot withstand the long season? Or is Queros in power and the change in his playing style makes him feel bored? This is unknown.

On the other hand, Keen's status as a big brother in the team has always been respected by the younger generation. In the past, many young players were promoted to the first team or newcomers, and they followed his advice and did not dare to disobey him. Now he feels that his words are not so effective, and some newcomers do not follow the old rules. From Keen's expressions on the court and complaining off the court in the past two seasons, the outside world undoubtedly found that Keen's status and prestige are no longer there.

With a dimple feeling, is there any other way out besides being sensible?

Objectively, Manchester United changed its playing style in the 2002-2003 season, and Keane's role was indirectly weakened. This season, Alan Smith changed to Keane's midfielder position, and the attitudes of the two coaches were considered a hint of seeing off guests.

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The Premier League continues, and Manchester United soon ushered in a new round of leagues. On the evening of National Day, just as domestic people were enjoying the leisure of the Golden Week, Yin Jun and Manchester United went to London to challenge Fulham at Craven Farm.

On the away game, Manchester United encountered a nightmare start and conceded the ball just after the game started. Crossley kicked off with a big foot, McBride headed the ball, and Collins John's shot outside the edge of the penalty area was blocked by Ferdinand. Ferdinand filed a complaint for a handball foul by the Dutch young player, but the referee ignored it. Collins John dribbled the ball into the middle of the penalty area with a left foot shot from 16 yards, and former Fulham goalkeeper Van der Sar saved but failed and the ball entered the net.

Manchester United, who was behind in the score, woke up from his dream and quickly launched a fierce counterattack, and scored two goals in two minutes to overtake the score.

In the 17th minute, Yin Jun dribbled the ball from the right and broke into the penalty area from the space between A-Jensen and Goma. Walz had no choice but to foul and knocked down Yin Jun. The referee decisively awarded a penalty kick. Van Nistrui shot low and entered the net in the lower right corner.

1:1, Manchester United equalized the score.

One minute later, Manchester United scored another goal to overtake the score. Giggs made a cross, and Yin Jun kept retracing and cleverly made a pass in the middle. Rooney, who was unguarded, broke into the penalty area and calmly pushed the ball from 14 yards in the middle to score the fifth league goal of the season.

Fulham equalized the score in the 28th minute. Klaus Jensen passed a free kick from the left into the penalty area. Ferdinand broke the ball in the middle and missed the ball. The ball bounced into the ground and jumped into the far corner. Van dersar could not react as much as he watched the ball enter the net.

Manchester United took the lead again in the 45th minute. Rooney made a straight pass in the middle circle. Yin Jun successfully counterattacked and broke into the right side of the penalty area. However, he faced Fulham goalkeeper Crossley who was attacking, and he passed the ball in the middle without any hesitation. Van Nistrui, who was thrusting across the ball easily into the empty goal. This is the Dutchman's 8th league goal this season.

3:2, this is the score of the first half, and it is also the score of the whole game. Both sides have no achievements in the second half.

With this victory, Manchester United temporarily returned to the top of the standings. However, just one day later, Chelsea swept Liverpool 4:1 at Anfield and regained the top spot with an 8-game winning streak.
Chapter completed!