Roy urges Alex to shop for key players

MANCHESTER UNITED skipper Roy Keane has urged Alex Ferguson to take his cheque book out this summer in a bid to ensure success in Europe.

Keane was suspended for the Champions League final win over Bayern Munich and saw his hopes of lifting the trophy at Old Trafford this season dashed by Real Madrid in last month’s thrilling quarter-final.

So, while he is enjoying the celebrations after regaining the Premiership title from Arsenal, Keane knows new faces will be required if they are to challenge Europe’s top dogs next season.

“It is good to hear the manager talking about wanting to do well in Europe and wanting to improve the squad,” said Keane.

“You can’t afford to stand still in football. You have to think ahead and we were one or two players short against Real Madrid.

"If you go back to the years when Liverpool were dominant, they bought top players every summer United have been linked with a move for Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldinho in recent days, as well as Leeds duo Paul Robinson and Harry Kewell.

Blackburn assistant-boss Tony Parkes admitted earlier this week Rovers would not be able to turn down a big-money offer for star-man Damien Duff, while Ferguson pursued Sunderland striker David Bellion and Rennes full-back Julien Escude without success over the past 12 months.

The United boss will also feel like he has a new signing in his camp given the performances Keane has been producing in recent weeks.

After having being ruled out of almost the entire first half of the campaign following hip surgery, the controversial midfielder has now recovered the energy to go with his ceaseless drive.