KEANE RETIREMENT

Last updated : 13 February 2005 By editor

From Fishal site:

The United skipper has been in tremendous form recently and admits to feeling "physically fresh", fuelling rumours that he may extend his stay at Old Trafford.

But the 33-year-old Irishman says he is on course to call it a day at the end of next season.

"When I signed this contract I believed that it would be my last playing contract, and I still believe that will be the case," the Reds skipper told us.

"I feel good in myself, I feel OK. We’ve probably got the balance right this year with the manager, the medical side of things and missing the odd game here and there.

"We’ve got a big squad so it’s only right everyone gets a game. The games I have played in I have felt fresh and physically good.

"My hip feels good, and so do my knees. My left knee was sore over the last week or two. Mentally, I’m enjoying my football.

"With the few days’ rest I am having, I do feel that bit fresher going into games."

Keane scored his 50th goal for the club against Birmingham, his 440th start for the club.

The United skipper will have completed 13 years of service with United when his current deal runs out.

His £3.75m capture from Nottingham Forest in 1993 - then a record fee - now seems like small change for a player who has arguably been the single most influential player in United's history.

Sir Alex Ferguson recently proclaimed Keane a United legend, and said his name would still be talked about in 500 years' time.

Despite the confirmation that the Cork-born midfielder plans to call time on his playing career, he remains driven as always and typically understating of his own form.

"I feel I’m doing OK," says Keane when confronted with the proposition that he has hit a rich vein of form. "But there is always room for improvement.

"I prefer to look back at my own performances and the performances of the team at the end of the season, not when you’ve got three months to go."

Sir Alex Ferguson has gone on record to say catching Chelsea this season would be United's finest title overhaul. It is the kind of task Keane relishes.

"From our point of view, we can’t wait. Bring it on. This is what we are in the game for," he said.

"It’s a massive challenge to us. The challenge of trying to be successful is the reason we are at Manchester United.

"With the Milan games coming up plus league and cup matches, you could say it’s crunch time for everybody. For the manager, the players and the fans, this is where it gets exciting."