ALFIE HAALAND announced his retirement from football � and said he will never forget Roy Keane for the tackle that allegedly ended his career. Manchester City midfielder Haaland, 30, has called it quits after visiting a specialist in the US. The Norwegian was hurt by a horror tackle from Manchester United skipper Roy Keane in April 2001. Keane received a five-game ban for admitting in his autobiography he deliberately fouled the City star. And Haaland said: �As for the Roy Keane issue, I shall never be able to forget the incident or his comments in his book.� He added: �After three operations and extensive physio, there comes a time when there is no point carrying on. �I realise my situation could not go on for ever � I almost had my own treatment table at the training ground.� United boss Alex Ferguson will use midfielders Keane and Eric Djemba-Djemba as emergency defenders this season. The Scot, who has failed to buy any defensive cover, admitted: �We could have a problem. �But I think Djemba-Djemba can play at right-back. Roy can also play centre-half.� Captain Keane still rates Arsenal as the biggest threat to United. The Irishman said: �They have probably had a stronger squad than us over the last year or two. �And getting Robert Pires and Patrick Vieira to sign new contracts was probably more important than buying new players.� United defender Gary Neville has hit back following a row over his two-footed tackle on Blackburn�s Corrado Grabbi in a reserve team game on Wednesday. Rovers boss Graeme Souness rushed from the stands after referee Steve Brand decided not to give a free-kick for the challenge. But Neville, who declared himself fit to face Newcastle tomorrow after a hamstring injury, said: �The ball is there to be won. That�s my job. �I didn�t go over the top. I never want to try to hurt anybody.� ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for Your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at Myinks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/l.m7sD/LIdGAA/qnsNAA/tsUolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> *************************************** Reply to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe from the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
