Sport

Keane set to sign new deal at United

Roy Keane is expected to commit his future to Manchester United within 48 hours by signing a deal that will make him the best…

By IAN ROSS
Tue Dec 07 1999 - 00:00

Roy Keane is expected to commit his future to Manchester United within 48 hours by signing a deal that will make him the best-paid player in the history of British football.

After several months of hard bargaining, the Irish captain is ready to accept a four-year contract that will net him around Stg£50,000 a week.

A financial package that will be sanctioned with some reluctance by the plc arm of the world's wealthiest club - and irritate some of his team-mates - will consist of a basic salary of £40,000 a week with a weekly top-up payment of £10,000 in signing-on and loyalty bonuses.

In addition Keane (27) will be granted a testimonial in 2004, a guaranteed end-of-career moneyspinner that could net him more than £1.75 million. With success-related bonuses, sponsorship deals and commercial endorsements, it is conceivable that Keane could earn around £17 million over the next four years.

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Newcastle United yesterday insisted that they had "no knowledge" of an alleged 1999 FA Cup final scam in which some of their players attempted to sell complimentary tickets to touts.

The club claim that they took "all reasonable steps" to make sure tickets for the clash with Manchester United last May were correctly distributed.

And they have pledged their full co-operation to the English Football Association who have launched an investigation into claims that 22 players were involved in attempting to sell 72 complimentary tickets to a tout.

The Philips manager of the month for November is David O'Leary who has taken Leeds United to the top of the English Premiership. The annual Philips manager of the year award will be announced on Thursday in Dublin.

Candidates for Manager of the Year: Dave Barry, Cork City (December 1989), Harry Williams, Ulster rugby team (January 1999), Joe Kernan, Crossmaglen Rangers (February), Joan Morgan, Hermes hockey team (March), Bobby Kahn, Cork Constitution, (April), Liam Buckley, St Patrick's Athletic (May), John Maughan, Mayo football team (June), John Holland, Irish rowing team (July), Brian Canavan and Brian McAlinden, Armagh football team (August), Jimmy Barry Murphy, Cork hurling team (September), Colm O'Rourke, International Rules team (October), David O'Leary, Leeds United (November).