Roy Keane gives evidence in court over alleged headbutt incident at Arsenal vs Man Utd match

Roy Keane has given evidence in court after he was allegedly headbutted during Manchester United's defeat to Arsenal.

Former United star Keane was covering Manchester United's 3-1 Premier League defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on September 3 when he was allegedly headbutted by Scott Law.

Law was arrested the following day, but he denies a charge of common assault.

On Wednesday Keane took to the stand at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on Wednesday to give evidence.

Keane is said to have celebrated - in the SKY Sports punditry studio - what he thought was a late United winner.

The goal was ruled out by VAR, but Law saw the 52-year-old celebrating from the stand.

Law allegedly made his way to an area of the stadium where he delivered a "forceful headbutt" to Keane's chest.

Keane said there was "large contact" with the side of his face and chest that knocked him backwards through a set of doors.

He continued: "The only way I can describe it is that I was in shock. I didn’t expect it to happen, not when I was in my workplace."

Keane told the court he saw Law being restrained by Richards, who was trying to make sure he didn't "run off", but Law later fled the scene.

Law told officers in a prepared statement how Keane had “approached him in an aggressive manner" - causing him to throw his head back in self-defence.

The defence questioned Keane on incidents during his playing career, including his stamp on Gareth Southgate in 1995 and his tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland in 2001.

It was claimed that Keane was the ‘only person to have delivered any unlawful violence’ and suggested he used his right elbow to hit Law in the face, injuring his nose.

The defence suggested the "red mist" descended over Keane and that he repeatedly used the word "fatty" to get Law to repeat what he’d said to him. Keane denied this.

Prosecutor Simon Jones said: "There was simply no justification for the defendant’s violence. We say he was clearly the aggressor. His claims of needing to get a pre-emptive strike in lack credibility.”

Micah Richards is expected to enter the witness box on Friday.

The trial continues.