SOCCER/FA Cup Fifth Round: Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson says he doesn't expect Roy Keane's international retirement to prolong his career - but hopes the Irishman will now see out the remainder of his four-year Old Trafford contract.
Old Trafford officials have moved quickly to absolve Ferguson of any blame for Keane's decision, claiming that the long-standing hip problem which required surgery at the start of the season had threatened Keane's entire career.
He is almost certain to captain United into their crunch FA Cup tie with Arsenal at Old Trafford this afternoon, with Ferguson hoping his influential leader will still be around when his present deal expires in 2006.
"I don't think this decision will extend Roy's career," Ferguson said about Keane's international retirement. "That's not the way we were looking at it. We just want to make sure he sees out his contract."
It was Keane's dismissal in the last FA Cup meeting between the Premiership heavyweights in 1999 which formed an integral part of what went on to become one of the greatest semi-finals the tournament has ever seen.
United clung on after their skipper's departure, only for Arsenal to be awarded a last-minute spot-kick which would have sealed a 2-1 win.
Instead, Peter Schmeichel saved Dennis Bergkamp's effort, laying the platform for Ryan Giggs' magnificent extra-time winner as United took a giant stride towards their eventual Treble triumph.
Giggs is a major doubt for today's game, having returned early from Welsh international duty with a calf injury.
England's Paul Scholes is believed to have aggravated his groin in midweek, while Juan Sebastian Veron has returned from Argentina's trip to Holland with a toe injury which an X-ray has revealed is not broken as was first feared.
Having informed Dutch boss Dick Advocaat that star striker Ruud van Nistelrooy should play only 45 minutes in Amsterdam, the United chief vented his frustration at Veron playing on into the second half.
"It was a problem for me that Juan played so long, plus he got a toe injury," admitted the United boss.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may be called into the side should Giggs fail to make it, while goalkeeper Fabien Barthez is expected to be included after missing the last two games with hip and thigh muscle injuries.
Nicky Butt and Phil Neville are also hoping to return, the latter highlighted as the key man in United's 2-0 triumph over Arsene Wenger's men in December.
"Phil's had a great season for us," said Ferguson. "Every time I've asked him to do a job for us he's done well, no matter what the position has been."
With both sides due to resume Champions League campaigns next week, the loser will actually have the benefit of a less congested campaign as the season enters its most cramped phase.
That could be seen as an advantage in the title race, although neither manager agrees.
"There could be a psychological advantage for the league if we win," Ferguson said.
"Winning games of football is good for you, particularly when you're playing against your nearest opponent."
Arsene Wenger is debating whether to take a gamble by resting a handful of internationals.
The Arsenal boss has revealed he will not select Gilberto Silva as he returned exhausted from Brazil's controversial midweek friendly in China, while Fredrik Ljungberg is still not available.
And he has also been weighing up the sharpness of his France and England internationals, who are in the middle of a run of four high-profile games in just 10 days.
"I will do what I feel is right to get everybody sharp and to try to win the game," declared Wenger.
"We want to win as it will strengthen our confidence and self belief.
"Manchester United playing Arsenal always has a big meaning and it's a big game for us."
• Today, 12.15, BBC 1
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)