Keane would be brilliant manager, says Ferguson

ALEX FERGUSON believes that Roy Keane will be an “absolutely brilliant” manager if he moves into the dugout when he hangs up his boots.

Keane has admitted he would like to move into management when he retires as a player and Ferguson insists the Irishman has the potential to make the transition.

"Absolutely no doubt about that. If he wants to do it he'll be an absolutely brilliant manager," Ferguson told leaguemanagers.com.

Keane, who only recently made his comeback after a lengthy lay-off following a hip injury, is sidelined again after picking up a hamstring strain against Leeds.

But Ferguson expects to have Keane back in time for next month's Premiership clash with Liverpool on Saturday, April 5.

"I think three weeks," said Ferguson. "We've got a two-week international break, which helps in that respect, so we've got two important games where we miss him Villa away and Fulham at home."

Keane has had to temper his customary box-to-box style following his hip injury, although Ferguson has not noticed a significant change.

"I think he's been talking about that himself but if you look at his performance in the second-half at Cardiff you couldn't say he's changed much really. The way he took the game by the scruff of the neck, he was fantastic in the second half."

Meanwhile World Cup veteran Laurent Blanc will only have a watching brief when United face Basle in the Champions League tomorrow night as he is planning to retire at the end of the season.

However, Blanc's fellow Frenchman Mikael Silvestre says his contribution to the club should not be under-estimated.

The arrival of Rio Ferdinand and the re-emergence of Wes Brown, not to mention John O'Shea, has seen the 37-year-old become a fringe figure.

"He has a great rapport with all the players . All the time he is passing on his experience to the squad.

"He is 37 and he has played for so many clubs with different coaches he has passed that on in the two years he has been here.

"Laurent has got everything you need to be a coach. He could be a good coach in the future."

United face a hectic run-in, chasing the Premiership title and trying to lift the European crown on their home ground.

But there will be little rest for Silvestre as the Confederations Cup is being played in France this summer. He is clearly unhappy at the prospect.

"I think that competition is too much," he said. "After a season with your club you want a rest."

Ferguson is set to ring the changes against Basle knowing qualification for the quarter-finals is assured.

With Keane and Juan Sebastian Veron (ankle) out and Quinton Fortune (groin) doubtful, Ferguson draft in promising midfielders Kieran Richardson and Mads Timm.