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Ferguson hopes Keane will stay

15/10/2005

Manchester United manager is hopeful that captain Roy Keane will extend his contract at the club which runs out at the end of the season.

Keane announced last month that he would be leaving Old Trafford at the end of the season as there was little chance that the club would offer him a new contract.

However, Ferguson told The Sun newspaper that he is hopeful that the Irishman, who retired from international football this week, will sign a new contract with the club.

"Roy is a player here, we admire him greatly and there is every chance he will be here again next season," Ferguson said.

"He has not said he will quit but we do have to start considering the age of our players."

According to The Sun, Ferguson has personally taken charge of contract negotiations to increase the chances of Keane staying.

As Keane is 34-years-old, United were only willing to offer him a pay-as-you-play contract, something which the midfielder finds unacceptable.

Keane has also said that he is looking for a new challenge in his career and that if he did leave Old Trafford in the summer, he would not play for another Premiership club.

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