Keane-powered United go through - March 14, 2001
Magnificent Roy Keane powered Manchester United through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League last night with a 3-0 Old Trafford win against Sturm Graz.
The Irish skipper answered those critics who say he is merely a destroyer with a stunning display of fast and accurate distribution, running through the whole repertoire of long and short passes.
Keane was involved three times in United's important opening goal after five minutes. First he played a fifty-yard through ball which opened up the Graz defence. Immediately he was in position to take a return from Luke Chadwick before making an incisive pass to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deep in the Austrians' penalty area.
When Graz regained possession, a Keane block prevented them from getting the ball away to safety - and Nicky Butt pounced to lash the ball home from 22 yards.
Keane capped an awe-inspiring display by scoring United's third, applying a clinical side-foot finish to a Solskjaer flick.
Fellow Corkman Denis Irwin also played the entire game as Alex Ferguson rang the changes and looked back to his rock-solid best.