His plight is nothing compared to that of his Tottenham counterpart Martin Jol.

The Dutchman, reeling from reports that a Spurs delegation allegedly went behind his back to try and replace him . . . first with Sevilla coach Juande Ramos, then former Real Madrid boss Fabio Capello . . . needs a third defeat in four games today like a hole in the head. And last night his captain Robbie Keane added his voice to the 5,000-plus emails Jol has received in support of his stewardship.

"There have obviously been a lot of things said but we have to regroup and show it has made us stronger as a unit, " said Keane, who will once again lead Spurs out today on a ground where they haven't won in the league for 18 years.

"We need to concentrate on what happens on the pitch, not off it. We don't know the ins and outs of what's happened with the manager but we don't want to see all this negative stuff because there is nothing wrong with the club. We want to do well for the team and Tottenham Hotspur, it's as simple as that.

"We're going to Man United hoping to get something out of the game. Do we want to win for the manager? Of course we do, we want to win for everyone that's associated with Tottenham Hotspur.

Forget everything that's happened off the pitch. Is it a good time to play United?

I'm not sure. They haven't won a game, we're well aware of that."

Keane was banging in two goals in Ireland's 4-0 win over Denmark midweek at the precise time question marks over Jol's future became headline news.

The Spurs board appear to have virtually handed their injury-hit manager . . . today without his three first-choice centrebacks as well as new signings Darren Bent and Gareth Bale plus winger Aaron Lennon . . . a Champions League-or-you're-out ultimatum.

And Keane, whilst trying not to become embroiled in the debacle, summed up the esteem in which he held Jol.

"I've been very fortunate to work with some great managers. Gordon Strachan, I've always said, is definitely there, Lippi was great for one game before he left. I had him a few months because the season didn't start, but his coaching was brilliant. But I'm playing the best football of my career under the current manager. He's a top manager and he's proven that in the few years he's been here."

Keane is showing maturity in his handling of the situation. That combined with his strikes in Aarhus will bemusic to the ears Steve Staunton. "Steve obviously when he took over took a lot of criticism, but he's proved people wrong, unbeaten in eight games, " said Keane.

"What does that tell you? He's making us strong. As players we're desperate to qualify for the Euros."