Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has uncovered a surprise ally in ‘McCarthygate’ – old enemy Roy Keane.

The manager caused a firestorm of controversy over his decision to rest 10 players in the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United eight days ago.

But former United captain Keane, who infamously clashed with then Republic of Ireland boss McCarthy at the 2002 World Cup and was sent home, backed him.

McCarthy said: “Roy was asked for his opinion and he said I was dead right and did exactly the right thing.

“They would have loved to have got a reaction from him against me. But it was never going to happen because despite what people think, myself and Roy talk about things – players, loans and what we’re doing – and we have a respect for each other in football terms.”

The Wolves boss believes his controversial decision won’t come back to haunt him.

He said: “I might be walking down the road with my dog at the age of 75 and someone will say ‘oh that’s so-and-so who did that at Old Trafford.’

“But others will say ‘there’s that guy who was different class and made the right decision’ and I’ve had more of that than criticism.”