Ferguson will have to control Keane, says ex-boss Clough

Legendary boss Brian Clough has urged Alex Ferguson to use his authority to curb the excesses of shamed skipper Roy Keane.

Clough was responsible for bringing Keane to England as an unheralded teenager and developed him into one of the finest players of his generation.

However, the former Nottingham Forest chief believes his protege has gone too far, following his recent controversial revelations by elbowing Jason McAteer in last Saturday’s Premiership clash with Sunderland.

Keane will avoid serving his ban for that incident, and a possible FA charge into his autobiography, by spending three months on the sidelines recovering from the hip operation he had this afternoon.

And in that time, Clough believes Ferguson should take the chance to sort his captain out.

‘‘It is reaching crisis point now,’’ said Clough.

‘‘Roy is an experienced man, recognised as one of the best players in the world and Alex has to say, ‘I’m sorry, you are damaging my reputation as a manager, you have to curtail this temper because I am suffering from it as well as you’.”

‘‘Alex has got to stand his ground now. It is not enough to give Roy moral or physical support. People say if you curb Roy’s physical approach it will take away part of his game - that’s just an excuse.

‘‘It’s not like a painter where you can nullify his talents by taking his paintbrush away.

‘‘The game lasts 90 minutes and you should be able to get on with your job and stay out of trouble. It is not a lot to ask once you become a mature player.’’

Nicky Butt has been tipped by former Manchester United defender Arthur Albiston to fill the void left by absent skipper Roy Keane.

He thinks Butt - who had an outstanding World Cup campaign this summer - is more than capable of filling the void.

‘‘He is not an eye-catching player, so some people take Nicky Butt for granted - but not the rest of the squad and not the supporters,’’ said Albiston.

‘‘Nicky has come up through the youth ranks and understands what the club is about. There will be no problem with him coming into the team.

‘‘He has been unfortunate over the years with injuries and has often been the one left out of the side when everyone has been fit.

‘‘But he stamped his authority on the team last season, even if he only really got noticed in the World Cup.’’

It was Butt’s introduction into the team last term which coincided with United ending their dismal losing streak which virtually cost them any chance of a fourth successive title by the beginning of December.

With Keane out for three months, manager Alex Ferguson will have few problems fulfilling a pre-season promise to give Butt a regular starting berth this term.

Meanwhile, Rennes defender Julien Escude believes his transfer to Manchester United could still happen - but not until next summer.

The 23-year-old was at the heart of a transfer battle between Rennes and United, which saw Escude exclude himself from training after an initial meeting between both clubs during August failed to agree a deal.

Rennes demanded around £5.1m for Escude, but United were not willing to offer more than half that sum.

Despite injuring his knee a week later, Rennes and United’s final meeting on August 25 went ahead - but the French outfit refused to budge on their asking price, forcing Escude to remain in France for another season.

The youngster, however, says that a phonecall from Ferguson the next day kept alive his hopes of moving to Old Trafford.

He said: ‘‘I was disappointed after the failure of the negotiations, but I received a call from Ferguson who told me he was still interested.

‘‘I think there is still a possibility I might join Man United next season.’