Keane reveals United exit plans

Roy Keane has stunned Manchester United by revealing he expects to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.

The Irishman's contract is due to expire in the summer and it was widely assumed he would be given at least an extra year, possibly to combine playing duties with a coaching role.

"I would like to play another year or two but I do not think it will be at Manchester United," he said.

In a live MUTV phone-in, Keane has rejected any likelihood of moving straight onto Sir Alex Ferguson's backroom staff and feels it will be the end of the season before United chief executive David Gill decides whether the 34-year-old will be handed an extension, by which time it will be too late.

He added: "I would be surprised if I was offered a new contract and even if I was, I would not expect it to be until the end of the season but by then I will have already made a decision about what I am going to do.

"There comes a time for everybody when they have to move on and I am prepared to play elsewhere.

"I think it will be good to experience a different dressing room. It wouldn't be an English team though, coming back to Old Trafford and going into the away dressing room would be too hard for me to stomach."

The last statement is bound to alert Celtic, as Keane has made no secret of his desire to play for the Parkhead club at some stage in his career.

Although he is currently sidelined with a broken foot, the prospect of United without Keane is virtually unthinkable.

The fiery midfielder has been the inspiration behind Sir Alex Ferguson's side since he first arrived as a raw youngster from Nottingham Forest in 1993, making 480 senior appearances and playing a major role in almost all United's successes.

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