Keane: I'll quit at end of United contract

Roy Keane has insisted he will quit football when his current contract with Manchester United expires in 18 months.

The 33-year-old Corkman has been in outstanding form recently prompting speculation that he might agree to extend his United career.

Keane came out on top in his personal duel with Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard at Anfield last month, squared up to Patrick Vieira at Highbury before the win over Arsenal and then capped an inspired display against Birmingham last week by notching his 50th goal for the Red Devils.

Alex Ferguson was so impressed by that latter display that he claimed Keane would be remembered as a United legend in ‘500 years’.

Keane's brilliant form, and a relatively injury-free campaign, had led to speculation that he would prolong an Old Trafford career that will have reached 13 years when his current deal runs out in 2006.

However, Keane, who said when he signed his contract he expected it to be his last, still feels the same way.

“I feel good,” he said. “My hip feels good, my left knee was a bit sore but overall I am not too bad. Mentally I am enjoying my football.

“But when I signed my current contract I believed it would be last playing contract and I still believe that to be the case.”