Keane walks away from United

Glorious career
The 34-year-old moved to Old Trafford from Nottingham Forest FC for a then-British record transfer fee of £3.75m (€5.9m) in summer 1993, and went on to enjoy a glittering career with United, helping the club to seven English Premiership league titles and four FA Cups and taking over as club captain following the retirement of Eric Cantona in 1997. He also inspired the club to the UEFA Champions League final in 1998/99 - part of their glorious treble-winning season - but missed out on the victory against FC Bayern München through suspension. His contract was due to expire at the end of the current season and Keane said recently he did not expect to be offered a new one.

'Honour and privilege'
Keane retired from international football last month after the Republic of Ireland failed to reach the FIFA World Cup finals. "It has been a great honour and privilege for me to play for Manchester United for over 12 years," Keane said. "During my time at the club I have been fortunate to play alongside some of the best players in the game and in front of the best supporters in the world. At all times I have endeavoured to do my best for the management and the team. Whilst it is a sad day for me to leave such a great club and manager I believe that the time has now come for me to move on."

Ferguson praise
Sir Alex was effusive in his praise of a man he once described as "the best player I ever managed", saying: "Roy Keane has been a fantastic servant for Manchester United. The best midfield player in the world of his generation, he is already one of the great figures in our club's illustrious history. Roy has been central to the success of the club in the last 12 and a half years and everyone at Old Trafford wishes him well in the rest of his career and beyond."