We've our strongest squad yet, says Keane

ROY KEANE says the current Manchester United squad is the strongest he's known at Old Trafford.

Alex Ferguson was criticised for off-loading David Beckham to Real Madrid and Juan Veron to Chelsea, but he's brought in five new faces and Keane believes, once again, the Boss has got it right as the champions begin their new campaign at home to Bolton today.

"The new arrivals are probably what we needed if we are going to challenge for trophies," Keane told MUTV. "Towards the back end of the Champions League we had the weakest squad of all in terms of numbers and we had to make sure it didn't happen again.

"With the signings and the young lads coming through, now I think we have the strongest squad I have known since I first came."

The latest arrival is Cristiano Ronaldo, who Keane knew a little about before facing Sporting Lisbon last week. Having faced the 18-year-old, Keane knows the youngster is a real find. "I'd heard one or two rumours about him before last Wednesday but the quality really showed through that night. He's a big strong lad and his movement was excellent.

"He really looks a hell of a player and we were talking about him so much afterwards I think Ryan (Giggs) started to get a bit worried.

"In tight games you need players who are capable of going past an opponent, which is obviously why the manager went after Ronaldinho.

"That deal didn't happen but we are always in the market for a player like that and it looks like we've got one."