Post by beckscristiano7 on May 6, 2006 23:05:34 GMT
Ferguson hails Keane as his greatest
By Pete Oliver
MANCHESTER, May 6 (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson paid a glowing tribute to Roy Keane as the midfielder prepares for an emotional return to Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Former skipper Keane will be back to play in his own testimonial between United and his current club, Scottish champions Celtic.
"I think over time when they start picking all the best (United) teams, he will be in it," Ferguson told reporters.
"Decades from now I think the (Bryan) Robsons, the Keanes, (Paul) Scholes and Duncan Edwards will always be there."
Ferguson described Keane, 34, as a once-in-a-lifetime person who was the best player of his 20-year reign as United manager.
"People used to say to me, 'why do you always say Roy Keane was the best player you ever had?'", said Ferguson.
"Do you say he was a better player than Cantona, Scholes or Giggs. Of course he wasn't as talented as those players, nowhere near it. But without question his obsession with winning, the demands he put on other players and his desire to win football matches made him the most influential player in the dressing-room.
"And he became a great captain through that. To my mind he was my best player, taking in all the things."
Ferguson regards Keane's performance in United's Champions League semi-final, second-leg against Juventus in Turin in 1999 as his finest hour in a United career that reaped seven league titles and four FA Cup winners' medals.
Despite picking up a yellow card which forced him to miss United's final triumph against Bayern Munich, Keane inspired his side to come from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
It was suggested that Ferguson's relationship with Keane deteriorated towards the end of his time at Old Trafford, which ended with a move to Celtic last December.
But Ferguson, who signed the Republic of Ireland international midfielder from Nottingham Forest for 3.75 million pounds ($6.94 million) in 1993, played down such a scenario.
"There was a lot of talk but we are not going to be talking about tittle-tattle," he said. "We had a great association. We had 11 fantastic years together."
United have failed to effectively replace Keane and Ferguson will make strengthening his midfield his top priority for next season.
Before that, United must beat Charlton Athletic at Old Trafford in their final game of the season on Sunday to be sure of finishing above Liverpool in second place and securing an automatic place in next season's Champions League.
"It's typical United. We tend to do things the hard way but I'm sure we'll get the right performance on Sunday. We'll be much fresher," said Ferguson, whose side took just one point from two games over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend.
"It's a massive game now. We have to get second place and hopefully a good, determined performance will get us there."
The game wont be broadcasted on our tv stations, but the best bet is to use mysee or any other network on your computer to watch the game. Is anyone here going to the tribute?
By Pete Oliver
MANCHESTER, May 6 (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson paid a glowing tribute to Roy Keane as the midfielder prepares for an emotional return to Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Former skipper Keane will be back to play in his own testimonial between United and his current club, Scottish champions Celtic.
"I think over time when they start picking all the best (United) teams, he will be in it," Ferguson told reporters.
"Decades from now I think the (Bryan) Robsons, the Keanes, (Paul) Scholes and Duncan Edwards will always be there."
Ferguson described Keane, 34, as a once-in-a-lifetime person who was the best player of his 20-year reign as United manager.
"People used to say to me, 'why do you always say Roy Keane was the best player you ever had?'", said Ferguson.
"Do you say he was a better player than Cantona, Scholes or Giggs. Of course he wasn't as talented as those players, nowhere near it. But without question his obsession with winning, the demands he put on other players and his desire to win football matches made him the most influential player in the dressing-room.
"And he became a great captain through that. To my mind he was my best player, taking in all the things."
Ferguson regards Keane's performance in United's Champions League semi-final, second-leg against Juventus in Turin in 1999 as his finest hour in a United career that reaped seven league titles and four FA Cup winners' medals.
Despite picking up a yellow card which forced him to miss United's final triumph against Bayern Munich, Keane inspired his side to come from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
It was suggested that Ferguson's relationship with Keane deteriorated towards the end of his time at Old Trafford, which ended with a move to Celtic last December.
But Ferguson, who signed the Republic of Ireland international midfielder from Nottingham Forest for 3.75 million pounds ($6.94 million) in 1993, played down such a scenario.
"There was a lot of talk but we are not going to be talking about tittle-tattle," he said. "We had a great association. We had 11 fantastic years together."
United have failed to effectively replace Keane and Ferguson will make strengthening his midfield his top priority for next season.
Before that, United must beat Charlton Athletic at Old Trafford in their final game of the season on Sunday to be sure of finishing above Liverpool in second place and securing an automatic place in next season's Champions League.
"It's typical United. We tend to do things the hard way but I'm sure we'll get the right performance on Sunday. We'll be much fresher," said Ferguson, whose side took just one point from two games over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend.
"It's a massive game now. We have to get second place and hopefully a good, determined performance will get us there."
The game wont be broadcasted on our tv stations, but the best bet is to use mysee or any other network on your computer to watch the game. Is anyone here going to the tribute?
