Ferguson wants Keane for another five years
The Irishman has recently returned to action after a troubled year which saw him walk out of Ireland's World Cup campaign, suffer a record fine and five-match ban after controversial comments in his autobiography and finally have to undergo a hip operation which kept him on the sidelines for four months.
During his absence, there had been suggestions that Keane's off-field problems outweighed his contribution on the field and also that his captaincy of the club could be under threat.
Ferguson, though, has remained steadfast in his support of a man he believes carries his own inspiration onto the field and he is adamant the 31-year-old still has a long-term future with the club: "We would like to see another five years from Roy and he is capable of doing that. He needs a bit of luck with injuries, but he is a fit lad and looks after himself so well.
"When you get to your 30s you do tailor your game a bit differently, every player has done that and I think we will see Roy change a little bit."
Keane has previously spoken of a desire to end his playing days in Scotland with Celtic, although having missed out on the 1999 Champions League triumph through suspension, the chance to seal his place in United folklore would be a major counter-attraction.
Ferguson clearly believes Keane can be persuaded to stay and, although his return has coincided with the end of United's winning run, the manager feels his captain's contribution will be vital over the coming months and years: "Roy has this incredible dynamo inside him. He can play anywhere he wants defence, midfield or attack because he has got something others have not.
"He has a great knowledge of the game and has the energy, enthusiasm and drive to play anywhere.
"I think the area where Roy is maybe trying to change himself is how he can play in a role which will control the team better. We had him sitting in centre midfield a couple of times last season to great effect. He did very well but we all know that Roy's natural enthusiasm will not always allow him to do that.
"His impatience to see the space and go forward will always be there."
It has often been said that Keane provides an on-field mirror image of Ferguson, with the pair sharing many of the same characteristics. The United boss admits there is some truth in the observation, which probably explains the mutual admiration which exists between the pair.
"He wants to get the same out of his team-mates that he gives himself. He realises not everybody can be like him and that is what I say about myself when I see Roy Keane.
"I try to get a team out on the pitch to mirror me, and that is what Roy is trying to do. He wants everybody to be like Roy Keane but not everybody can be like that.
"It is not so much his standards, but his drive which does that. He doesn't want to lose and his personality can rise above all the rest of the players in the sense of his keenness to do things.
"All good teams have different personalities and characters in them who do things in different ways. Roy has his way and I don't really want to see him change. We are delighted to have him back."
Keane delivered his usual determined display in the 2-0 win against Birmingham on Saturday driving his team forward with a mixture of his own endeavours and a few choice words, ensuring United got their title chase back on track after successive league losses either side of the Christmas Day festivities.
"It is hard for any player coming back after so long out of the team," he said. "I need matches to get the sharpness back. When I came on against Blackburn I was probably their best player but I didn't do too badly yesterday. Physically and mentally I feel fresh and while I need to be patient, the more matches I play, the better I will get."
The news continues to get better for United fans. Ryan Giggs will never say never, but the Manchester United star admits he is unlikely to be tempted away from Old Trafford.
The Wales winger has been linked in the Italian press with a move to Serie A giants Inter Milan and, while he is flattered by the idea, Giggs insists his heart is in Manchester.
"To be linked to a big team is always a great pleasure," Giggs is quoted in Gazzetta dello Sport. "But these are just words and not facts. Last year I signed a contract with Manchester United until 2006.
"I was tempted, but now I think I'll end my career with Man United."
However, after watching Jaap Stam hurried through the Old Trafford exit when he moved to Lazio, Giggs knows the final decision is not his but Sir Alex Ferguson's.
"At Manchester United there is no room for sentimentality," added Giggs.
"If Ferguson decides for the sake of the team to sell a player, he will do it, as happened a while ago with Jaap Stam."
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