Fergie Keane on captain playing defensive role against Porto

MANCHESTER UNITED captain Roy Keane is likely to play in a defensive capacity against Porto tomorrow night following the withdrawal of Mikael Silvestre.

The French defender limped off with ankle ligament damage during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds after a 50-50 collision with Alan Smith.

“Mikael will be out for three weeks,” manager Alex Ferguson said. “It is a big blow for us but we will just have to get on with it.”

Keane admitted his preference for a midfield berth but added that he will follow Ferguson’s instructions.

“It is a question I have been asked before, but I see myself as a central midfield player for the next couple of years. Obviously, we have problems at the back, with Rio’s absence and now Gary Neville will be out for three games, but I definitely see myself as a central midfielder.

“Obviously, if I am asked by the manager to play there, I will. But that is up to the manager.”

Of course, there are other things Ferguson will have to weigh up in making such a decision.

In the five games that Keane has been absent from the Manchester United midfield at Old Trafford this year because of rest, his team have lost two and drawn one.

Only against Portsmouth have United managed to win convincingly without their captain in midfield.

If Keane is moved to central defence tomorrow, it will not be a decision Ferguson will take lightly.

In addition to both legs of the Porto clash, Silvestre is also set to sit out league trips to Fulham and Manchester City, plus the FA Cup sixth round tie against the winner of tonight’s replay between the Cottagers and West Ham at Upton Park.

It is for those three games that Ferguson’s problems become acute as he will also be without Gary Neville through suspension following his dismissal for head-butting Steve McManaman against Manchester City.

Neville’s absence and Ferguson’s stated aim of giving Keane some rest is likely to offer Wes Brown another chance to stake his claim for a regular starting berth.

The England international has been blamed for the hesitancy which has crept into United’s defence since his introduction for Ferdinand.

But injury-plagued Brown, who has just battled back from a second cruciate knee ligament operation, has won support from his manager.

Ferguson believes he is not far away from hitting top form again and can fulfil the promise that got him into the United first team as a teenager.

“I am not interested in what other people think,” blasted Ferguson. “Wes will be back. The boy needs games and good training.

“Nine months out is a long time, particularly as he has had three major injuries and has only just turned 24.

“He has missed almost three years of football. There have been signs that he is getting there and in a couple of games he will be back to his best.”