Keane relieved at Rio’s return

MANCHESTER UNITED skipper Roy Keane has admitted that Rio Ferdinand’s eight- month ban had a negative effect on the Old Trafford outfit.

Ferdinand returned to the Red Devils starting line-up on Monday night after serving the suspension imposed following his missed drugs test last September.

United boss Alex Ferguson reunited Ferdinand with Mikael Silvestre at the heart of his rearguard, a partnership Keane reckons could become as effective as that of Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister in the Cork man’s early years at the club.

The pair were impressive as United emerged 2-1 victors over old rivals Liverpool.

Keane feels Ferdinand’s return will stop the talk he felt was dragging the club down.

“It is the end of a chapter that brought a lot of negativity. It was draining and affected people at the club. The fact he is back means it is over with and we can start talking about football again,” Keane said.

Keane’s stark admission is backed up by the statistics.

United were top of the Premiership with the best defensive record in the league when Ferdinand began his suspension in January.

By the time he returned, Arsenal had already wrapped up one title and have stolen a march on the Old Trafford outfit in this season’s Premiership as well.

Monday’s win saw the gap close to seven points and while there is still plenty of work to do, Keane is optimistic his team-mates can put up a credible challenge, particularly if Ferdinand and Silvestre stay fit.

The central defensive pairing boasted an impressive 50% clean sheet rate before they were split last term, and only an unlucky John O’Shea own goal prevented them from improving that record against Liverpool. And while physically the two players are different to Bruce and Pallister, Keane thinks the duo can be equally successful.

“Steve and Gary were outstanding as a defensive unit but Rio and Mikael have what it takes to be as good,” said Keane.

The return of Ferdinand, plus Wayne Rooney’s impending debut, means United are getting the strength in depth that has served them so well over the past decade.

United’s mini revival gets its latest test at in-form Tottenham on Saturday. Ironically, Spurs were the team Keane supported as a boy.

“There is no need to panic because there is a long way to go. But the win on Monday was a great boost for everyone and it would be nice now to go on a long, unbeaten run.”