Keano: Starlets need team ethic
Manchester United skipper Roy Keane says young stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney still have to learn how to play in a team despite their outstanding natural talent.
The attacking duo are two of world football´s brightest prospects, and look set to influence proceedings at Old Trafford for years to come with their captivating style of play.
However despite their undoubted ability, which Keane says he sees in action day in, day out in training, the United hero insists his young team-mates must still learn the value of team-work.
Keane also opined that the extreme pressures accompanying a starring role for both club and country should not be allowed to stifle the stars.
"They´re outstanding players, but I think they still have to learn about playing for the team," said Keane.
"I think both of them were destined to play for United, they´re still very young and there´s been a lot of pressure on them, which I think for their sakes we should ease off on.
"But some of the stuff they do in training is unbelievable and it´s sometimes difficult to work out because it involves so much trickery."
Whilst the youthful exuberance of Rooney in particular has been a major positive for United this season, they have also benefited from the mature presence of new keeper Edwin van der Sar.
The summer signing from Fulham has not put a foot wrong since moving to Old Trafford, and Keane is confident that the Dutch international has the ability to fill the hole never truly dealt with since Peter Schmeichel´s departure in 1999.
High profile errors condemned the likes of Massimo Taibi, whilst even French number one Fabien Barthez did not leave United with his reputation intact, but Keane has full confidence in the current custodian.
"Edwin´s settled in very well and shown how important experience is," Keane continued.
"But my heart goes out to the keepers who came here after Peter because you can´t compare them with him.
"He was outstanding and a big character, a real one-off.
"Some keepers come here, make a couple of mistakes and it can be the end of them.
"But I´m sure we´ve found the right man in Edwin and hopefully he´ll help us win some trophies."
Silverware is the currency of success at The Red Devils, and Keane, as determined a character as ever, says he has not yet given up hope of catching runaway leaders Chelsea in The Premiership.
"Chelsea are obviously the team to beat but to say we´re out of it is ridiculous.
"We know we can´t afford to lose especially at home.
"Every team has its off days but that´s when you need to grind out a result.
"After we lost at home to Blackburn it was all doom and gloom. And not long before that, when we were winning, everyone was saying we were back to our best."
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