United keeping Keane

MANCHESTER UNITED have dismissed suggestions that Roy Keane and Rio Ferdinand will leave Old Trafford this summer as “absolute nonsense”.

There has been speculation that the two players could be set to move on, with various reports linking Keane with a move to Celtic, while Ferdinand is a supposed transfer target for Chelsea.

Keane’s close relationship with Alex Ferguson has recently come under question following the veteran midfielder’s return to the Irish international scene, although the United boss has said publicly he is ‘100%’ behind the move.

However, both players are still under contract at United, and Keane’s representative Michael Kennedy this week suggested his client would see out the remaining two years of his deal.

Ferdinand is not eligible to play until September 20 after being handed an eight-month ban for failing to take a random drugs test at United’s Carrington training ground earlier this season.

“The club has read today’s newspaper reports and it is absolute nonsense. Manchester United continue to concentrate on finishing the league and looking forward to the FA Cup final.” Ruud van Nistelrooy has also reaffirmed his desire to stay at United.