KEANE CONTRACT TALKS

Last updated : 21 October 2005 By Editor
News on Roy Keane's new contract seems to have taken a turn for the worst or perhaps they haven't even been initiated. This from Mihir Bose in the Telegraph.

A new contract for Manchester United captain Roy Keane is no nearer being agreed. There has been no contact between United chief executive David Gill and the player's advisers and, on several occasions in the past few months, Keane has expressed his unhappiness in characteristically blunt terms to Sir Alex Ferguson about the club's inability to sign a midfield replacement.

Problems with his hip, which have led to the Irishman soaking himself in an ice bath after matches and training, are such that he will eventually require a hip replacement.

Keane has told Ferguson that, while he wants to play, he would prefer to do so in defence as he eases himself out of the game. I am told Ferguson has admitted he has failed to recruit a replacement.

Keane, 34, is aware that, even if United start talks, he will be offered only a year's extension and at a salary reduced from his present £120,000 a week. Ryan Giggs was given a two-year extension but had to take a pay cut