Mixed emotions for Fergie as Roy returns

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has mixed emotions as he prepares to face Sunderland tomorrow.

As he looks forward to welcoming back former club captain Roy Keane to Old Trafford, the veteran boss is still coming to terms with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's early retirement.

Both players have carved their name in United's folklore and earned Ferguson's respect in the process.

Keane is beginning to make as much of an impact as a manager as he did as player, leading Sunderland into the Barclays Premier League in his first season in charge.

Ferguson said: "Roy will get a great reception and that's what makes me proud to be manager here. It tells you what a great club we are.

"Former players like Bryan Robson, Mark Hughes and Steve Bruce get a fantastic reception.  Sometimes the supporters actually chant the players' names. I remember that happening to Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham.

"Mind you, someone did wave back once and got absolutely slaughtered."

While Keane's departure from United was swift and unexpected, Ferguson has nothing but admiration for him.

He said: "When players are coming to the end of their career, it is a difficult time.  They are almost family and it is not easy when they have to leave. They have been great servants and great players for you. I have had to do it a few times."

Solskjaer's time is up, however, after persistent knee problems meant limited appearances for a striker who famously scored the winner for United in the 1999 European Cup final.

Ferguson revealed the Norwegian knew he had to hang up his boots when he broke down in training last week.

He said: "Ole's latest operations in March and in the summer got to him in big way in a sense he felt it was hard to get back from it.  He tried to train 10 days ago and it did not work out again.

"I think he knew he had to face reality. He could easily have jogged along and taken his money but not Ole. He faced the situation and spoke to me about it. In many ways it is the right moment because it gives him a chance to be a coach with us."

With Solsjkaer forced to quit and Wayne Rooney ruled out with a broken foot, Ferguson is short on attacking options.

However Louis Saha (knee) and Anderson (hamstring) are likely to come into contention against Sunderland.

Saha has not played since the Champions League semi-final against AC Milan in April but could get a run-out as United look to build on their victory against Tottenham.

Ferguson said: "I expect him to be involved on Saturday. He is an important player for us. What we do need is a bigger cutting edge to our game but sometimes getting your first win helps.

"That can trigger off a good run as we have seen in the past and hopefully that will be the case again."

Meanwhile Rooney will have a scan next week as he continues his rehabilitation.

"He is not far away, " said Ferguson. "Hopefully we will get a good result from the scan.  He is doing all his work in the gym and working really hard as well."

With Cristiano Ronaldo sitting out the final game of his three-match suspension, Ferguson added: "He will be back next week so things are looking up.

"We are getting to a better position in terms of players being available than we were last week."