Ferguson is now optimistic about Keane

Three games, three wins, three trophies: as a wet, grey Mancunian dawn broke over Old Trafford yesterday that was the vivid reality facing Manchester United over the next 12 days. No wonder all thoughts of Blackburn the night before had vanished.

United's focus is straight ahead. Even after sealing the fate of a favoured former comrade, Brian Kidd, it was very much business as usual: sentiment has no place at this time of the season.

Thus Kidd's replacement at Old Trafford, Steve McClaren, put those who had played bit parts or no part at Ewood Park through their paces and as Paul Scholes, Teddy Sheringham, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jesper Blomqvist practised shooting, Roy Keane trotted around them accompanied by the United physio Dave Fevre.

The whole scene illustrated United's strength in depth as they prepare to meet Spurs for the Premiership decider on Sunday, a game Keane now seems almost certain to feature in. Alex Ferguson said yesterday that the ankle Keane injured at Middlesbrough last Sunday "is responding to treatment. The swelling has mostly all gone down and the bruising has gone out.

"We hope he will be kicking a ball by Saturday. Then we will know if he has a chance for Sunday. He would want to play even if he was 70 per cent fit."

Jaap Stam, who was substituted at half-time at Blackburn, will definitely play and with Ryan Giggs having lasted 90 minutes on Wednesday, United could be at full strength for the visit of Tottenham.

That will again mean a seat on the bench for Sheringham and the 33-year-old England international offered the only minor expression of dissatisfaction in an otherwise contented set-up.

Sheringham has been eased out of the side with the arrival of Dwight Yorke, starting only nine games this season, and said yesterday: "I want to be involved. It's all right saying I'll get three medals, but I want to be involved. I can sit and watch when I'm 40. Of course I am frustrated but that's not putting pressure on anybody, that's just my situation."

Asked if he was considering leaving the club, Sheringham replied: "It changes from week to week. When you are playing you are a happy man, I can only look at things when they come up. When you sign for £3.5m you expect to play." In his 16 years in the game Sheringham has not won a significant medal.

One man who was unequivocal in his commitment to Manchester United, however, was David Beckham and in a rare, uncontrolled encounter, the game's pop star reaffirmed it.

"I think at the start of the season a lot of people were wondering how it would go for me, if I would crack or go abroad," said Beckham referring to his World Cup sending off.

"All I wanted to do was come back to United and get playing again. The manager told me as long as I got back home and started playing that I would be fine. I suppose at times it has been hard getting that reaction from the crowd but the lads have been brilliant for me. I've never had any doubt about staying at United.

"I knew I was going to get a little bit of stick every time I went to away grounds this season. But when you play for the biggest club in the country, if not the world, you expect stick anyway. I think what happened in the summer has made me a stronger person."

Beckham, a nervous interviewee, then resorted to a trusted cliche that may be a sign of growing maturity and Ferguson would have been proud of his hunger when Beckham said: "We haven't won anything yet." That may not be true for long.

David Ginola yesterday ended speculation over his future by signing a new three-year £3.6m contract with Tottenham.

Ginola's future was uncertain even though he has enjoyed a wonderful season, culminating in him being voted player of the year by the Professional Footballers' Association and the Football Writers' Association.

But now the 32-year-old Frenchman has agreed a deal which could see him end his playing career with Tottenham.

Ginola was widely expected to be the first casualty when George Graham took over as Spurs boss in October. But the winger has flourished under the former Arsenal and Leeds manager, scoring several brilliant goals and setting up countless others.