THE phrase 'end of an era' is often used but seldom warranted.

However, when Roy Keane announced to the world that he is likely to quit Manchester United at the end of this season, no other words better sum up his decision.

Like him or loathe him, no one can deny the immense part the talismanic midfielder has had to play at Old Trafford since his £3.75m move from Nottingham Forest in 1993. Put simply, he was the beating heart at the centre of all of United's finest achievements.

Keane marked his first season with the club by helping them secure their first League and FA Cup double in 1994.

Two years later he was an inspirational presence as Alex Ferguson's men made it an historic double double. Who better then to succeed Eric Cantona as club captain when the legendary Frenchman retired from the professional game in 1997?

Consistent performances for both club and country saw him acknowledged as both the PFA and Football Writers' Association player of the year in 2000, the same year he lifted the Premiership title for the sixth time in eight years.

And in 2003 Keane and his United team-mates held off the challenge of Arsenal to take the championship once more.

Even his legendary temper - the ferocity of which makes his association with the Red Devils all the more fitting - and his various off-the-field indiscretions have been unable to cast a shadow over his achievements.

Not many players could get away with the things he has said and done and yet still be held dear by those that turn out in their tens of thousands every other weekend to watch him.

His demands for £52,000-a-week could hardly have gone down well in 2000, especially when United blamed Keane for the hike in season ticket prices.

That was the same year that he hit out at the so-called 'prawn sandwich brigade' among United's support at the club's Champions League clash with Dynamo Kiev.

Then, of course, there was his infamous falling out with then Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy.

"You were a crap player and you're a crap manager," blasted Keane, angered by an apparent lack of preparation ahead of the country's 2002 World Cup Campaign. That outburst, plus some language far too colourful for a family newspaper, resulted in the Republic's best player being sent home in disgrace from the tournament in Korea and Japan.

Despite these and more black marks against his name, it is Keane's passion and all-round determination that will be most remembered.

It is said that the English love a loser, but Keane is an exception to that rule.

Fans of opposing teams may jeer his every move, but ask those same fans afterwards who was the most committed player on the pitch and 99 times out of 100 they will answer Roy Keane. Ask those same fans if they would welcome him with open arms if he expressed a desire to join their club and you would get complete agreement.

At a time when football and boring are becoming intrinsically linked, the Premiership will be all the poorer for the absence of the feisty man from Cork.