No Red Carpet For Roy

Roy Keane returns to Old Trafford after more than a year, as manager of Sunderland but is not interested in the hype surrounding the game.

I, for one, am looking forward very much to his return - much more than he himself, judged by his comments.

'I'm not expecting any hugs and kisses,' www.manutd.com quotes him.

'Alex Ferguson will want to beat me and Sunderland as much as anyone else. There won't be a red carpet rolled out for me.'

No, that would not suit his personality. But a standing ovation will be 'rolled out' for you, dear Royston, you just can't hide from that. And regardless of the result, you'll get at the end of the game, too. Or at least I think.

He admitted it will be a daunting task to get anything from Old Trafford yet did not seem downhearted by his side's woeful recent form, culminating in the 3-0 drubbing at Luton.

'People say you have to keep it tight for the first 20 minutes in games like this - try the first 90! And it might be longer if we go by Alex Ferguson's stop-watch!'

'I'm glad to be going back and I'm glad to be taking Sunderland there. I'm glad some of my players will get the chance to play at a great stadium against a very, very good team. We will try to approach it in the same way as any other game.'

Good luck, Roy!

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