Manchester United midfield player Roy Keane has been given a five-match ban and a record £150,000 fine after being found guilty of two charges of misconduct by the English Football Association.

The ban comes into effect on 4 November, and means Keane, who is currently recovering from surgery will not be available to play for United until their potentially decisive clash with Arsenal on December 7.

If Keane appeals against the decision he will almost certainly miss the Arsenal match along with Premier League games against Manchester City, West Ham, Newcastle and LIverpool.

Both charges related to an incident with Manchester City’s Alf Inge Haaland of Manchester City in a Premiership match on 21 April 2001.

The first charge was connected to a challenge on Haaland, which the three-man panel confirmed was “improperly motivated”, with an apparent element of revenge. after Keane stated in his recenty-published that he deliberately set out to hurt Haaland.

The second alleged Keane profitted from his account of the incident in his autobiography.

Describing the verdict, United director and Keane’s solicitor Maurice Watkins, said: ‘Clearly after the argumenst that have beenput forward in Roy’s defence, we are disappointed with the verdict.’