"It is disappointing. At the moment we have only had one side
of the story and it doesn't make good reading," said Ferguson.
"But I spoke to Roy this morning and he is quite clear about what he has
done. Mick McCarthy left a message on my answer phone and I want to speak to
Ferguson added that he had not wanted Keane to travel to the Far East because
of concern over the Irishman's knee injury.
"I know Roy and I didn't want him to go to the World Cup as he needed an
operation but he was determined to go and he didn't see defeat as an option,"
"People talk about Ireland going to the World Cup for a jaunt but that wasn't
on his agenda.
"All great sportsmen have an edge to them but I think control is important and I need to speak to Mick McCarthy - all I know is what I have read and I think that has been coloured."
Ferguson added: "Roy is the greatest player I have had and the greatest
player Ireland have had.
"When I spoke to him he expected me to be interviewed and he wanted me to say
that he hoped Ireland do well."
Before his dismissal from the squad, Keane had confessed how the United boss
was one of the few people he could talk to.
Keane said on Thursday: "He's a good man and he gave me good words of advice.
You have to listen to these people.
"The manager has the same temperament as me. He understood what I was going