Red alert for Fergie so carry on Keane

ALEX FERGUSON is facing a test of his managerial juggling skills just two weeks into the new season.

The Manchester United boss can start to plot to bring European glory back to Old Trafford after cementing a place in today's Champions League draw.

However, while undoubtedly taking a keen interest in learning which three teams will block Manchester United's path to the second group stage, his attentions will largely be focused on a training ground treatment room taking on the appearance of a casualty ward.

Ferguson was fairly blunt when faced with a query over Roy Keane's reported knee problem after Tuesday night's victory over Zalaegerszeg, brushing off suggestions of an immediate operation with a curt "he's not having one".

Ferguson expanded just enough to confirm there "might be" a long-term problem, although whether surgery is essential has not been confirmed.

Either way, if Keane can play on for the next few weeks it is highly likely he will be asked to do so.

Given the problems picked up in the last 48 hours, the captain doesn't appear to have much choice.

With Gary Neville, Fabien Barthez and Wes Brown sidelined and Rio Ferdinand just returning from a pre-season ankle sprain, Ferguson admitted before Tuesday's clash he couldn't afford to pick up any more defensive injuries.

That wish was granted. Instead he has got two new ones in his midfield. Nicky Butt's toe caused enough worry to necessitate a trip to the specialist and after sitting out the 5-0 win, will now be monitored ahead of Saturday's trip to Sunderland.

Paul Scholes won't travel to the north-east, nor to Birmingham to link up with Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad for England's friendly with Portugal at Villa Park on September 7.

The flame-haired midfielder was looking sharp and set to add to his 21st-minute strike when he jarred his ankle attempting to make a tackle just after the interval and was stretchered off in considerable pain.

Ferguson initially suggested a two-week absence for Scholes, though the swelling which appeared almost

instantly will have to disappear before an accurate diagnosis can be reached.

It does leave Ferguson with a few holes to fill though, especially as the August 31 transfer deadline is looming large.

Ferdinand lasted an hour of his return, which Ferguson admitted was "something of a risk", but came through without a scare and should link up with Laurent Blanc at the Stadium of Light, providing the Frenchman suffers no reaction to a late kick on his knee.

However, with South African international Quinton Fortune also on the sidelines, options may be few at the weekend, with a number of promising reserves likely to find themselves drafted into the first team squad.

Ferguson though insists the injury crisis will not affect his strategy for bringing new players into the club

before the weekend.

While accepting a move for Rennes' former French U 21 international Julien Escude has almost certainly failed, the Scot is still spying other defensive targets plus an on-loan swoop for a goalkeeper to cover for Fabien Barthez's prolonged absence from action.