Fergie buoyed by Keane views
Sir Alex Ferguson admits he is not surprised that Manchester United captain Roy Keane wants to prolong his playing days.
Keane has revealed that he is considering an extension to his time at Old Trafford, with his present deal due to expire in the summer of 2006.
Red Devils chief Ferguson is pleased his talisman harbours thoughts of spending more time bossing his midfield.
Ferguson has again hailed the Irishman´s influence and concedes Keane will be sorely missed when he does eventually retire.
" I´m not surprised the way he´s been playing," Ferguson told Sky Sports News about Keane´s comments.
" He´s been in great form. He´s at his peak now in terms of form and age and influence on the side so I´m not surprised he´s talking that way.
" He has been such an amazing influence on the football club since the day he arrived.
" You always hope when you have a player like that, he will never go away but there will be a day when he goes away, the same with me. You have to retire some time.
" It´s hard to think you´ll get another Roy Keane walking about the streets of Manchester, for sure."
Another United veteran is Ryan Giggs, who is currently locked in a dispute with the club regarding a new contract.
Giggs has been offered a 12-month extension but is holding out for two years, with Ferguson still thinking of the winger as a youngster.
He added: " Of course we´ve offered him a contract extension until he´s 33-and-a-half. Some people think of going to the last sunset at that age. I still think he´s a young man."
Ferguson also took time to praise the present form of Paul Scholes, who has rediscovered his shooting boots to score six goals in as many appearances.
The United boss continued: " He´s been fantastic. Paul and his goals have been instrumental in the results.
" He´s in great form. There is a definite increase in form throughout the team and Paul has been the conductor of that in the past few games."