Keane criticises Rooney's legend

Roy Keane has blasted some of his former colleagues and insists his old Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney has proved nothing in his career so far.

The straight-talking Sunderland manager has pulled no punches in his revelations about his 12-and-a-half-years at Old Trafford, and has revealed that only seven members of his old team have his mobile number. Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Gary Neville, Nicky Butt, John O'Shea, Quinton Fortune and Ryan Giggs are the chosen few, and the 35-year-old Irishman has criticised England's golden boy Rooney for his lack of silverware thus far.

"For me, the jury's still out on Wayne. I think he's got a hell of a lot to do," Keane said in a Sunday Times magazine published in the Sun. "Wayne has achieved nothing - and would probably say that himself. "I would judge players over a few years rather than one or two. "He's got potential, like I've got potential to be a good manager. Potential is one thing, doing it is another."

While the new Black Cats boss has praised David Beckham for his immaculate conduct over the years, he is critical of fellow England star Michael Owen for his decision to do an interview after a serious injury last December. "There's loads of people who get sucked in," Keane explained. "Michael Owen always springs to mind. The day after Owen broke his foot, he's doing an article and I'm thinking 'Work on your recovery, man'."

The fiery ex-United skipper has also revealed the reason for his highly publicised bust-up with United which saw him leave the club after a pulled interview on MUTV following a 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough. "I was seeing players doing stuff off the pitch and it came to a head with that defeat," Keane added "Yes I nailed certain people. "I think in the end the manager was swayed by certain people he works with."

Arsenal back in contention?

The way Arsenal started their match with Manchester United, it doesn't look like they are still struggling for their first win of the season. Coupled with the fact that their talismanic leader, Thierry Henry, is missing out on the action, this is a very commendable performance from Arsenal.

It is hardly comforting to their opponenets that Arsenal has risen from the ashes and is now exhibiting their usual flowing football. Manchester United on the other hand was not impressive. Ryan Giggs and Park Ji Sung was sidelined due to injuries and this may have affected the forward thrust of the team.

Arsenal got the better of the opening exchanges and were dominant in midfield. They pressed the United defence relentlessly and had a penalty as well as several goal-mouth actions denied in the first half. Adebayor had a fairly good game as a lone striker and his speed was a constant threat to the United backline. However, he will need to display more tenacity and consistency if he is to fill the boots of the great Henry.

On the United side, their talented duo, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo did not display the excellent partnership which can tear apart defences at will but instead struggled to link up. Rooney was extremely disappointing and he was substituted towards the end.

Immense expectations were resting on his shoulders for this crunch match but unfortunately, he did not rise to the occasion. Granted that the three-match hiatus had blunted his sharpness and the Celtic match has taken its toil on him but if he wants to go down in history as a great player, he has to show his killer instincts in the big matches and finish off the opponents clinically.

He still has time to blossom but he is in no way the finished product and Ferguson will do well to develop more aspects of his game and constantly remind him that he needs to improve, instead of resting on his laurels.

Soccer Pundit is disappointed that United had slipped and given up their advantage so easily. This is not championship form, period. Arsenal and Chelsea, at their dominant best, would not have made such mistakes.

It is still too early to talk about championships, but United looks shaky and the race for top spot come Christmas is still wide open....