Keane tells Fergie: Make us stronger

Manchester United skipper Roy Keane has urged Sir Alex Ferguson to get his cheque book out this summer in a bid to ensure success in Europe.

The former Irish international was famously 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, like his manager 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,” Keane told MUTV.

“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 no matter what they had won.

“It is important to keep building because it keeps the players on their toes.”

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 and both are now out of contract.

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 took his time to settle back in the side but has now recovered the energy to go with his ceaseless drive and is back among the Premiership’s most influential players again.

“Getting the injury was frustrating but that is part of being a footballer,” he said.

“You are going to have your ups and downs but after a few weeks off, hopefully I will get a good pre-season under my belt and be injury free next year.”

And, while accepting the most recent title win has been particularly satisfying given Arsenal’s eight point lead over the Red Devils at the beginning of March, Keane doesn’t agree that it is the sweetest of all.

“I know some of the lads are saying it’s the sweetest because we weren’t playing particularly well, had a few injury problems are people were writing us off but I always think the next one is the sweetest.”