Sir Alex Ferguson has pledged his support for his under-fire captain Roy Keane in the row surrounding comments Keane made in his forthcoming autobiography.

Keane admits in his book that he intended to injure Manchester City midfielder Alf Inge Haaland in a Premiership match two years ago.

The United skipper revealed that he made the tackle as an act of revenge following Haaland’s accusation – false as it transpired – that Keane had been feigning injury in an incident involving the same players three years earlier.

The revelations prompted the FA to launch an investigation into Keane’s remarks, with the possibility that the player could face a misconduct charge.

Ferguson meanwhile, refuses to condemn his captain foor the remarks. ‘There has been a lot of to-ing and fro-ing between Haaland and Keane in the last three or four years, particulary from Haaland, who has had plenty to say,’ said the United boss.

“While the book is not done with the club’s consent, we do peruse it and go through everything thoroughly before it goes to the publishers.

“If there was a problem the club’s lawyers would have picked up on it.

“I don’t think Roy has a case to answer.”