ROY KEANE HAS played down the breakdown of his relationship with former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson at a question-and-answer session to promote his new book on Monday evening.

The duo enjoyed several successful years together before falling out over Keane’s acrimonious departure from the Red Devils in 2005.

Yet Keane emphasised Ferguson’s positive qualities when speaking at an event in London to coincide with the recent release of The Second Half, telling fans and reporters.

“12 and a half years, to work under one manager. I don’t want people to think I’m bitter and twisted towards Alex Ferguson, but I’m obviously going to say I’m disappointed with his comments, what he said about me,” he explained. “I’m not for one minute playing down what he achieved. Absolutely amazing.

“I played under good managers, bad managers. The top managers get a feel for the group, they know what you need. Whatever Alex Ferguson’s strengths and weaknesses, that was by far his biggest strength.

“Me and Alex Ferguson, we had the same type of traits, of what Manchester United was about. I think that probably created the problems towards to the end. We almost knew we were coming to the end.”

Keane’s compliments come after Ferguson was similarly glowing in his praise of the former United captain during a speech for the Dublin Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner.

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