Roy Keane — and in a good mood! [Photo-PA]

Roy Keane has dramatically and unexpectedly left Manchester United by “mutual consent” after more than 12 years at the club.

The announcement, which was made by the club just after midday, follows weeks of tension and unease at Old Trafford following comments made by Keane on the club’s television channel MUTV, during which he criticised seven of his team-mates.

This was a real shock for me, this morning. Even though Manchester United is the team you love to hate, Roy Keane, captain of the team, has always been the “hard man” whose dedication to team and sport was an integral part of the team’s historic dominance of the English Premier League.

One thing that’s absolutely predictable — if he goes to another EPL team — the first time he shows up at the Man U home grounds, he will get a standing ovation from the fans. For many, he represents the spirit of traditional sport.

Update:

Guardian Unlimited has just published their 10 favorite Keano rants. I love it. Especially his rounding on Mick McCarthy. I wish I had succeeded in getting one of the t-shirts from Setanta Sports displaying his indelicate description of Mick.