ROY'S MAN-OR UTD

FOR a man who has never been afraid to publicly stick the boot in, Roy Keane is decidedly shy when it comes to his own privacy.

So much so that he's spending pounds 2.5million on a mock Edwardian manor in the Cheshire stockbroker belt to hide from his fans.

The controversial Man United skipper is desperate for privacy following his shame at being kicked out of the Republic World Cup team and the storm of criticism over his explosive autobiography.

The imposing mansion is one of only three on a secluded site reached by a 400-yard private drive and has a billiard room, swimming pool and five bedrooms. And if the volatile star earns an early bath it's no problem - three of the bedrooms are ensuite.

High-security features include electronic gates that can only be opened by using special codes.

Keane, 30, who earns pounds 90,000 a week, will move wife Theresa and children Shannon, five, Caragh, three, and Aiden, two, into the stately home as soon as building work is finished later this year.

The sales brochure describes the three houses as "arguably the most exclusive properties ever built in the North West".

It goes on: "Much of the manor exterior detail is reminiscent of the Edwardian era, yet behind this elegant facade is an interior rich in every modern amenity and comfort.

"Room sizes can only be described as opulent. Interior layouts include such niceties as a dressing room, powder room, study, butler's pantry and separate morning and dining rooms.

"Nothing has been spared and no detail overlooked to ensure the discerning purchaser has everything at their disposal to enjoy a richly indulgent lifestyle."

One United insider said yesterday: "It's a standing joke with the players that Roy lords it over Old Trafford. Now he will have the manor house to go with the title.

"You could buy a decent player for the price he's forking out for his pad. But he simply wanted more privacy after the publicity following his World Cup shenanigans.

"He had fans camped outside his gate and realised his current home isn't that private. He wants to keep out prying eyes."

Keane's new mansion will be his third home in the Cheshire Set stronghold of Hale and Bowdon.

The area is also home to a host of United players including Veron, Butt, Van Nestlerooy and Scholes.

New record signing Rio Ferdinand is also making enquiries about suitable million euro-plus properties in the area.

Keane originally moved to a modern red bricked four bedroomed house on aprivate estate near Bowdon village church and became a regular at the nearby Stamford and Griffin watering holes, mentioned in his book.

But he moved in 1997 after falling out with a neighbour, Susan Eyres, who claimed he threatened her with a knife and a walking stick. After Keane sold up, he and his family moved into a 12-roomed mock Tudor mansion in nearby Hale, now worth around pounds 2.25million.

But it was not as private as he had hoped and the front, side and part of the rear garden could be overlooked from further up the road.

Before stopping drinking, he was a regular at the Bleeding Wolf pub in Hale and was in there on the night of David Beckham's wedding.

When asked why he hadn't gone, Keane joked: "It was a choice between the wedding and the Wolf - and the Wolf won."

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