His rants have become part of football folklore from his prawn-sandwich blast right up to his savage attack on Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy which meant he ended up watching the World Cup on television rather than playing in it.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson wouldn’t have Keane any other way and he values the midfielder’s forthright views.

Ferguson sees his captain as his enforcer in the United dressing room. If United’s standards slip - as they did last season - then Ferguson knows he can rely on Keane to tell his team-mates to pull up their socks, euphemistically speaking.

Keane insists he does not say things just for effect. He claims he merely tells it as he sees it and if that upsets anyone, then tough.

‘‘I just think that’s the way I am,’’ he said. ‘‘There’re enough people who sit on the fence and I’m not really one for doing that.

‘‘Life’s too short and I know sometimes you need to be a bit diplomatic, but sometimes you need to say what’s what and what’s not.’’

Keane certainly does that and after turning his ire on his United team-mates at the end of the 2000-01 campaign following their limp Champions League exit to Bayern Munich, he gave them both barrels again when the Reds finished last season empty-handed.

Keane accused some of the club’s more established players of not pulling their weight when the team needed them.

He felt they were content to sit back and let the likes of Juan Veron and Laurent Blanc take the flak for last season’s failure.

‘‘I thought all the new signings did very well,’’ he said. ‘‘I was more annoyed about the players who’ve been here a few years and had not really been doing it when they know what it’s about.

‘‘At the start of the season, when the goals were going in against us, everyone was having a go at Laurent then later on Seba was getting it.

‘‘That annoyed me because it was covering some other players and when things go wrong, people always look first at the new signings.

‘‘I’ve always said not to expect miracles from the new lads. Instead it’s up to the other players to dig even deeper.

‘‘If you get three or four players saying ‘we’ll sit back and let the new lads take the heat’ - and they’ve taken the heat - it’s unfair.’’

Warming to the topic, Keane added in the official Manchester United magazine: ‘‘I’m not sure we played enough as a team last season.

‘‘I think there has been an element of expecting a lot from the new players and certain players slackened off without a doubt.’’

But for all his criticisms of his team-mates, Keane claims he only makes these comments to keep driving them on.

He does not want them to settle for second best and he even claims he ‘‘loves’’ them.

‘‘You have to remember, I love my team-mates,’’ he said. ‘‘I just want what’s best for the team and they do as well. I want them to perform to their potential.

‘‘I know defeat hurts them as much as me. I’m not making out that I’m different, but I guess I’m the voice of the dressing room.’’

Keane’s voice is likely to be heard again this autumn when his autobiography is published.

Knowing Keane, he is likely to speak his mind on all matter of issues - not least his bust-up with McCarthy.

So can we expect a few more ‘Keano blasts’ headlines?

Keane tried to talk down the book and he said: ‘‘It’s not a case of slagging anyone off. It’s just a book on my career.

‘‘If I have any doubts, I’ll check with the manager and I’ve got my own solicitor. I’m not going to be hammering anybody ... well three or four people maybe.’’