DUBLIN -- Roy Keane launched a typically feisty defence of his reputation at the launch of his much-discussed book, with former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson firmly in his line of fire.
Taking to the stage in front of a packed media room at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, ex-United captain Keane suggested a need to set the record straight was the primary motivation behind his decision to write "The Second Half," with Ferguson coming in for especially heated fire as he faced a barrage of questions.
Keane was asked whether he would ever forgive Ferguson for the manner of his exit from United and the negative comments he made in his book, which was released last year, with his answer suggesting his annoyance has yet to subside.
"Football is a small world and eventually you will cross paths with people again," Keane said. "Whether it is at a game or at a conference that is going on, we will meet again. When you have worked with someone for such a long time and we've had our disagreements, I have no problem about that.
"It is afterwards when people start coming out with all sorts of nonsense, and for Alex Ferguson to criticise not just myself but players who brought a lot of pleasure to a lot of supporters -- it was just ridiculous. He has made millions of pounds out of it, he has a stand named after him, he has his statue. Why do it?
"There are people in this room who are quite happy to tell lies about me and at some stage you have to defend yourself. Enough is enough."
When pressed on whether he would meet up with Ferguson, who was also in Dublin on Thursday evening, Keane responded: "We will see if we ever cross paths again. I'm sure we will ... cross paths I mean."
It was an answer that confirmed he is not ready dilute his relationship with Ferguson any time soon and Keane hopes his book, written in association with acclaimed Irish writer Roddy Doyle, sets the record straight on what he sees as some of the injustices that have affected him during his colourful career.
His exit from United dominated the news conference, and the subject of the MUTV interview Keane gave in which he criticised his teammates. Ferguson and United officials have suggested that the interview -- which was never aired -- was the reason Keane left the club, but the man who is now assistant manager with the Republic of Ireland national team and Aston Villa rejects that version of events.
"Ferguson said we had come to an end, I hadn't come to an end," Keane said. "I just knew. A lot of nonsense was coming out, propaganda from United. This leaked video story -- United were happy to let that story run.
"This video was nonsense. The players were fine with it. The only people who had issues were Ferguson and [his assistant Carlos] Queiroz. They had already made their mind up. I agreed the time was up, but the way the time was handled.
"Ferguson has friends in the media and some of them are here today. You can spot them a mile off. They put our little snippets about you, stories that are basic lies. I bided my time, I've waited long enough, so here we go."