LONDON -- Manchester United Captain Roy Keane has revealed that he would have played for the Republic of Ireland in the World Cup had national team Manager Mick McCarthy not accused him of faking injuries.

Keane walked out of the Irish squad in May after a reported bust-up with McCarthy over training facilities but the player insists that he was "setup" by the manager, who wanted to be "surrounded by yes-men".

In an interview published in the times on Monday, Keane said: "People go around the houses talking about pitches and so on which were valid.

"But I would have played in the World Cup despite all that if McCarthy hadn't accused me of faking injuries. "It's as simple as that. They dangled a carrot for me and I had a good nibble."

But Keane insists that while most fingers were pointed in his direction after he refused to apologize for his part in the incident, McCarthy should have been forced to answer some questions he felt needed asking at the time.

"But if you say I am faking injury and letting my teammates down, then dead right. To me, that is the worst insult you can have.

"Why hasn't anyone asked him why he said what he did and why he wanted me out?" Reuters quoted Keane as saying.

Ireland were knocked out of the World Cup in the second round after losing a penalty shootout to Spain, a performance greeted as an unlucky way to lose by the coach and the home media.

Keane, however, sees it differently.