Impossible to replace Keane, says Fergie

ALEX FERGUSON may have ended the debate over Roy Keane’s non-appearance on Manchester United’s Far East tour – but the Red Devils boss admits he is still unsure how he will eventually replace his long-serving captain.

After 24 hours of fevered speculation about Keane’s absence, Ferguson broke his silence in typically blunt manner.

In a swift rebuke to those who claimed the Irishman had been axed on disciplinary grounds following a bust-up between the pair in the Algarve three weeks ago, Ferguson also made it clear he was entertaining no further debate on the issue.

“Roy Keane is injured, it is as simple as that,” said the Scot.

“You can’t travel if you are injured. There is nothing else to say.”

While there has been no denial of the claim Keane and Ferguson argued over the manager’s decision to allow players’ wives and families to join the Portugal trip, Ferguson and other club officials have made their displeasure known at the inference that the captain had been left at home for any reason other than to have further treatment on a hamstring injury.

Even if a minor bust-up did take place, the after-effects are clearly minor given the affection Ferguson reserved for Keane in his assessment of how he is going to replace him.

Last season, the 33-year-old indicated the coming campaign would be his last, even if Ferguson jokingly responded by claiming he was the one who would decide when the Irish star would retire.

But whether Keane extends his current contract or not, Ferguson knows his captain cannot defy the ravages of time forever and he needs someone who can fill the breach.

So, with Steven Gerrard off limits and Michael Essien bound for Chelsea, the United boss has started to look for suitable candidates within his own squad. And Alan Smith is proving himself to be the most likely choice.

The striker earned Ferguson’s praise for the way he anchored United’s midfield in the second-half of their 2-0 win over Hong Kong on Saturday and Smith is likely to find himself occupying a similar role against Beijing Hyundai tonight.

“We keep talking about how we are going to find another Roy Keane but that is impossible,” said Ferguson.

“It is pointless looking for a replacement because there simply isn’t one. What we have to do is look within our own squad to see if there is a similar type of player who can play that role.

“Darren Fletcher, Quinton Fortune and Phil Neville can all do the job but at the moment we are experimenting with Alan Smith.

“He has great assets and I thought he encouraged and cajoled the players very well on Saturday.

“He is enjoying it, which is the main thing, so we will see how it unfolds.”