How 'restricted' Keane can give United new dimension
"That Roy Keane is gone," accepted Ferguson. "We don't need the old Roy Keane. Not at that age, because he is never going to last. If you keep asking him to run from box-to-box you are not going to get it. Now he can pick his moments. He can drive forward at the right time, when the space is in front and he has someone around him.
"Roy was always a box-to-box player. He depended on his running ability and power. He is obviously a tremendous player in terms of passing the ball and tackles.
"He's good in the air, quick to see things and read the game but you can't keep on doing that. He has simply assessed himself properly.
"He has to do that if he wants to play all the games. He can bring a new dimension to his career by doing what he is doing."
Ferguson, in Turin with Keane for tonight's Champions League clash with Juventus, believes his Old
Trafford captain will ultimately see out his Old Trafford contract in a playing capacity.
"He has another three years left on his contract and I think he will get through that no problem. If his hip is okay he could play until he is 36 or 37," the United manager said.
However, former Arsenal and England striker Alan Smith said yesterday: "How much longer will Keane last with a level of performance that bears no resemblance whatsoever to the previous model of all-action, rampaging dominance?"
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Smith claimed Keane's hip operation has damaged both the stamina and mobility of the former Republic skipper, causing him to severely restrict his style of play.
Smith claimed the Corkman was not enjoying his football, and may reassess his future plans in the coming months.
"Worryingly, it's not going to get any better either. There will come a time when Keane gets fed up with endless jabs up the jacksy, when he starts to seriously wonder if it is, in fact, all worth it. You are a long time retired. His long-term health must come before any thing.
"Anyway, he cannot truly be enjoying his football these days. The old Roy Keane has gone. The new one, unfortunately, is but a pale imitation."
He added: "The player himself has admitted that he can no longer charge around in typically gung-ho fashion, that he must adjust his game, temper his instincts, in order to last the pace. No wonder he gave up international football with the Republic of Ireland. The incessant challenge at club level is more than enough."
But Smith, believes that Keane will become quickly frustrated by this new holding role, given his famous ultra competitive nature.
"How frustrating it must be for the individual concerned when the mind is still willing but the body yells 'no!' yet a strong will to win still beats fiercely within. You could see that clearly enough with one or two trademark rollickings for players failing in their duties.
"For that reason and for that reason alone his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, will, for now, accept his captain's reduced circumstances. For standards have dropped at Old Trafford, where one or two are happily coasting on a wave of wealth and reputation.
"That's why Keane's inbred intensity becomes more crucial than ever. Someone out there needs to be kicking backsides."
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