ONE LOVE

Last updated : 23 February 2003 By Editor

From The Sunday Telegraph:

"Oh, aye," says Ferguson without demur when asked whether we have seen the last of the old Keane, "but we don't need the old Roy Keane. Not at that age. If you keep asking him to run from box to box, you are never going to get it. I think he's cautiously realising now that he's more value [to us] by using his experience in a sitting role.

"If you think back to his performance at Blackburn in the semi-final of the Worthington Cup, where we tightened the midfield and he sat in front of the back four, he was fantastic. Every time the ball went near [Dwight] Yorke or [Andy] Cole, he was in front of it: he was brilliant."

"I think we can fix it by making sure we do the right things after a game and before a games," Ferguson claims. "There will be times, too, when I'm going to rest him, picking my moments.

"He's got another three years left on his contract - maybe two and a half - and I think he'll get through that. Which would take him to 33.5. When any player gets to 34, it's bonus time; but Keane, if his hip's all right, could play till 36 or 37."

"Roy has not done any training this week and is with the physio all the time.

"I really think we can fix it by making sure we do the right things before games and after games.

Looking forward to Juve he added:

"It is ironic we're going to the ground where Roy had one of his best games but that Roy has gone.

"And we don't want the old Roy because he won't last. If you keep asking him to run from box to box you won't get it, but he can pick his moments and drive forward."

"John (O'Shea) could eventually play Keano's position. He sails over the ground."

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