Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has invited Roy Keane to join his coaching staff on an informal basis, it has emerged.
He is also set to ask the club's board to offer Ruud Van Nistelroy a new contract that will elevate him beside Keane and Seba Veron as the one of the club's best paid players.
It's believed that Ferguson wishes to quell any rumours surrounding the prolific Dutchman, who has been linked with Barcelona.
The offer to Keane is seen as an attempt by Ferguson to realise a long-term aim of grooming the Corkman for a place on the club's backroom staff.
According to Keane, he will be involved in the training of underage teams in the coming season.
Meanwhile, Manchester United is continuing to consider an offer for Veron from Chelsea, rumoured to be in the region of stg£15m.