There was no other way for him to do it, was there?

Having courted controversy and made headlines throughout his Manchester United career, Roy Keane just couldn’t go quietly into the night, could he? There had to be one last gasp-inducing development.

I will miss seeing him snarling and gesticulating furiously as he bossed the midfield for United. He gave everything for the cause and made damned well sure everyone else around him did the same.

This means United have freed up a significant chunk of their wage budget. On top of that, the captaincy is vacant and there’s a midfield position to be filled. Is this all meant to provide an additional enticement for Ballack? However, if recent reports are to be believed, the German midfielder is looking to ply his trade in sunnier lands.

How very Ruud

United started their first match of the post-Keane era looking to prove a few points. They performed bravely to beat Chelsea in their last match and they seemed determined to keep the run going in the match against Charlton. Their passing was often slick and incisive and as a sporting spectacle, the match was a delight. (Reports: ManUtd.com, BBC, Soccernet, The Insider, Guardian.)

United had their first chance as early as the first minute but although they had numerous opportunites, they had to wait till the 37th minute for their first goal. Was it fate that decreed it should come courtesy of Smith, the man who would be Keane? He certainly scored Keane-style when he arrived late at the edge of the box to drive a low shot into the net.

Ambrose did brilliantly to equalise for Charlton but United’s response was quick in coming and what an effort it was. Rooney did extraordinarily well — well, extraordinary by most standards but perfunctory by his — to set up van Nistelrooy but the finish was sheer class. The Dutchman chested the ball then swivelled and emphatically volleyed it into the net.

If that was a notable finish, van Nistelrooy’s second was even more so. He shrugged off the attentions of a few defenders and fired a low shot below the diving Charlton keeper. It was remarkable because he’s not renowned for his ability to score from outside the box.

The final score was 1-3 in United’s favour but it’s far too early to judge whether United will do just fine in the short term. This, after all, was Charlton, a team who’ve got an awful record against United.

The acid test will come when Ferguson’s men are a goal or two down in a match against more accomplished opponents. Will they have it in them to turn things around without Keane to urge them on?

One suspects we’ll find out in the match against Villareal.