Keane to be used as emergency defender- Ferguson ( 2003-08-22 09:50) (Agencies)
Roy Keane will be used as an emergency central defender by Manchester United
this season, Alex Ferguson has said.
The United manager intends to use Keane along with fellow midfielder
Djemba-Djemba in his back-line after failing to sign defensive cover during the
close season.
"Defensively we could still have a problem. We've got a good back four of
Gary Neville, Mikael Silvestre, Rio (Ferdinand) and John O'Shea," Ferguson told
the club's official magazine.
"Then I think Djemba-Djemba can play at right back as I've seen him perform
there before and he did very, very well. Roy can also play centre half."
Keane played as a defender for a whole season at previous club Nottingham
Forest and also featured successfully in the position against Juventus in the
Champions League last year.
Ferguson is refusing to pay over the odds for a defender or waste money by
buying a back-up he feels will not withstand the pressure of playing at Old
Trafford.
"The back four itself apart from Rio can change positions, so I've some
flexibility there. But maybe just one more player in that area would give us
some comfort.
"But as Peter Kenyon said after the Ronaldinho deal fell through, the one
thing Manchester United doesn't do is panic buy. We won't rush."
Gary Neville played 60 minutes for Manchester United's reserves on Wednesday
and is now fit for selection against Newcastle on Sunday following a hamstring
strain.
