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22nd January 2015
06:53pm GMT

One aspect of Keane's departure that Whiteside is sure of, is Ferguson's failure to replace his midfield talisman with a world-class player.
He adds, 'For about 13 years, Bryan Robson was captain, for another 12, Roy was captain [and leader]. Manchester United have been the luckiest club in the world, to have 25 years, a quarter of a century, with the two best centre midfielders in the world, certainly in the country. They've probably not replaced them - a player with their determination down the middle.
As for Ferguson, the Northern Irishman recalls slagging the Scot over his role in David Moyes' appointment. He comments, 'Fergie was getting a lot of stick from the Scottish papers, and from Tommy Doherty I think. There were two-page spreads, about Fergie, with 'This is your fault' and 'Stay away from Old Trafford'.
'Well, every time I bumped into him I was slagging. When the girl (air hostess) went by with the drinks trolley, I'd tap her on the shoulder and say, 'It's all his fault'. If someone was picking up his luggage at the airport, I'd tell him, 'It's all his fault'. It was the constant joke but, still, it was the most relaxed I've ever seen him. Like the weight is off his shoulders now.'
*Whiteside was joined by Liverpool legend, Neil Ruddock at an event in Dublin, today, to highlight the upcoming FA Cup fixtures on the Setanta Sports pack. The weekend’s action includes Manchester United’s trip to Cambridge United, on Friday, the matches between Manchester City and Middlesbrough, and Liverpool and Bolton on Saturday, as well as the game between Brighton and Hove Albion and current FA Cup holders Arsenal on Sunday.
The Setanta Sports pack has five channels in total including Setanta Ireland, Setanta Sports 1, BT Sport 1, BT Sport 2 and ESPN.Explore more on these topics: