Former Manchester United footballer Roy Keane has been found not guilty during a road rage trial in which he was accused of acting aggressively towards a taxi driver.

He was accused of making a V-sign at taxi driver Fater Kerar (44) who made a gesture to the footballer to smile.

But Keane (43) was acquitted at Manchester Magistrates' Court of a public order offence involving the alleged road rage incident.

A court heard that the footballer followed Mr Kerar to a set of traffic lights in Altrincham, Cheshire.

Mr Kerar told the court: "He was very aggressive. He was swearing at me. It was very bad. I responded and said 'get back in your car' and he went back to his car."

"I was shaking. I didn't expect it. He was very aggressive."

Mr Keane denied any wrongdoing and shook his head during some of the evidence at Manchester Magistrates' court.

The defendant, wearing a black suit, white shirt and blue tie, was asked to stand, give his date of birth and address, and entered his not guilty plea to causing harassment, alarm or distress to Mr Kerar - a Section 4A Public Order offence.

Mr Kerar told the court that he went straight to a local police station and told an officer about the incident.

But he did not make a statement and called the Manchester Evening News to "ask for advice", the court heard.

Mr Kerar was later forced to deny accusations from Mr Keane's counsel that he rang the Manchester Evening News to seek publicity.

Mr Keane's barrister Mr Stuart Denney QC said to Mr Kerar: "You smiled a big fake or idiotic smile at him, suggesting to him for a second time that he should smile."

"As he turned right you indicated a 'V' sign with one hand to him, meaning effectively 'buzz off you miserable person'. Did you say then 'you need to cheer up'?".

Mr Kerar said: "No, I never use signs like that. I didn't say that."