ENGLISH FA PREMIERSHIP: Roy Keane brought Juan Sebastian Veron's position at Manchester United under increased scrutiny last night by defying the manager Alex Ferguson with an outburst that claimed there were "a lot of cover-ups" inside Old Trafford and that "good players don't necessarily make good teams".

The comments added further spice to the mix as United prepare for tonight's Premiership showdown with Arsenal at Old Trafford which could see Arsene Wenger's side crowned as double winners. Anything short of a United victory would mean the London side being declared champions, following on Saturday's FA Cup final victory over Chelsea.

Keane's comments will cause intense embarrassment to a United hierarchy who spent a good proportion of the bank holiday weekend dismissing reports that certain players had confronted Veron after the Champions League defeat by Bayer Leverkusen and that he was about to return to Italy.

His claim that some players needed to "stand up and be counted" and that when they do not do so it can be "bloody frustrating" are a public declaration, which Ferguson consistently refuses to make, of the problems within the club.

The manager was so incensed by criticism of his team and Veron that he abandoned a press conference on Monday after barely five minutes, amid a stream of obscenities.

The chief executive Peter Kenyon, meanwhile, accused outside forces of orchestrating a premeditated campaign to unsettle the Argentinian.

Keane's interview on MUTV, the club's television station, came as Kenyon was saying that outside influences were attempting to destabilise the club. "Seba is a world-class player," he protested. "He has demonstrated that to us on occasions." Kenyon said he was making his point because of the persistent stories linking Veron with a return to Lazio, speculation exacerbated by quotes attributed to the Italian club's president Sergio Cragnotti and fuelled by the player admitting more than once he would like to return to Rome.

"What is undermining is the continual focus on him wanting to go and not being happy. Nothing could be further from the truth. We want to squash all that once and for all because it is not doing any good to anybody," said Kenyon.

"Seba has had reassurances from everybody that this is not a Manchester United issue and that it is starting somewhere else. We believe there are concerted efforts by people outside the club to unsettle Veron. But there is nothing to indicate he won't be a Manchester United player next season."

Indeed, it is understood that Ferguson called Veron into his office on Monday and reassured him that the club were totally supportive. In return, Veron admitted that his performances had not been of a high enough standard at times.

Keane, who last year urged the club to spend considerably, was withering in his words. "There are a lot of cover-ups sometimes. Players need to stand up and be counted. I'm not sure that happens a lot at this club, but it's the least we should be doing," he said.

Although he did not mention the £28.1m Veron by name, sources confirm there was little doubt he was referring to a player who, troubled by a recurrent Achilles injury, has had a disappointing season.

"We shouldn't have to demand it from the players, they should be proud to play for Manchester United and give 100 per cent," added Keane. "We're not asking the players to perform miracles, we're asking them to do what they should be doing.

"When they don't do that it's bloody frustrating. We're going to find it hard to win the league now, and if we end up with no trophies there's something wrong.

"We need to repair the damage that has been done," he continued. "We should be winning European Cups, but good players don't necessarily make good teams.

"That's my opinion and I don't care what anyone else thinks." Veron remains a doubt for tonight because of the Achilles problem.

The slightest knee twinge, meanwhile, means that Arsenal's top scorer Thierry Henry will miss tonight's clash.

But the fact that his manager Arsene Wenger seems convinced that Henry will be fit for the final Premiership match of the season against Everton on Saturday suggests Arsenal might be happy to keep something in reserve in case they fail to secure the point this evening that will confirm them as champions.

Tony Adams may also be rested as Wenger's team aim for a 12th successive league win, with Martin Keown ready to deputise.

Liverpool, meanwhile, who still hope to clinch second place in the Premiership, and automatic qualification for the group stages of the Champions League, host Blackburn at Anfield at exactly the same time as the Arsenal and Manchester United encounter.

Liverpool will have Steven Gerrard back against Rovers but will be without Jari Litmanen (calf), Stephen Wright (ankle), Chris Kirkland (back).

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Alan Kelly is set for a rare start for Rovers as manager Graeme Souness has released Brad Friedel for World Cup training with the USA squad. Lucas Neill returns to the frame after being sidelined against Everton following concussion.

Manchester Utd v Arsenal Live on Sky Sports 1, 8.0

Guardian Service