Record books beckon for forgetful Keane

FA Cup history beckons for Roy Keane on Saturday – not that he wants the occasion to linger in the memory too long.

Keane will contest an astonishing seventh final when Manchester United tackle Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium.

Together with Red Devils team-mate Ryan Giggs, the 33-year-old Irishman knows victory will see his name carved into the record books as one of the most successful players in the tournament’s 133-year history.

Only three men – Arthur Kinnaird, Charles Wollaston and Jimmy Forrest – have collected five winners’ medals.

They were all earned way back in the late 19th century when Wanderers, Old Etonians and Blackburn Rovers were routinely having their names etched on the famous trophy.

Keane and Giggs have four each, a legacy of United’s successes in 1994, 1996, 1999 and the win over Millwall last term.

Yet it is the defeat the pair shared against Everton in 1995 and a setback in Keane’s first final, when Tottenham defeated his Nottingham Forest side 14 years ago, that remain most vivid in the dynamic midfielder’s memory.

“I still get the same buzz out of the final as I always did,” said Keane.

“The strange thing is, I remember the two I have lost rather than the four I won, so hopefully I won’t be remembering Saturday’s game too much.”

The United skipper is honest enough to admit none of the finals he has played in could be posted in the classic category.

Beating Liverpool through Eric Cantona’s superb late strike to secure a first league and cup double might have been an ecstatic occasion for the Red Devils camp, but it was hardly riveting viewing for the neutrals watching at home.

This weekend’s affair, he suggests, might be different.

Even without Thierry Henry, there is enough stellar quality in each line-up to ensure a footballing feast, and that is without the undercurrent of ill-feeling which transcends the rival camps.

“The rivalry between ourselves and Arsenal should ensure a great final,” he said.

“But as a player, you only really enjoy the day if you win. We all know the loser will end up empty-handed but hopefully it won’t be us.”

Victorious or not at the Millennium Stadium, Keane and his team-mates are already condemned to an early start to their next campaign, on August 10 to be precise for a Champions League qualifying tie.

The debris from a second successive third-place Premiership finish and another early exit from Europe cannot be swept away with a single win on Saturday.

And though Keane would happily accept a trophy a season as reward for his hard work, he hinted new owner Malcolm Glazer may need to get his cheque-book out if United are to haul Chelsea back next term.

“We always judge ourselves on the Premiership and Champions League but the FA Cup is a very important competition, especially to Manchester United and we will be going all out to win it,” he said.

“We have been quite inconsistent really. Hopefully we will try and improve the squad because the best squad always wins the league and maybe we have been a bit short on that side of it.

“But we are just focusing on Saturday first and the manager can take care of who he wants to bring in during the summer.”