SOCCER/Manchester Utd v Villarreal:  It would be exaggerating to say that Alex Ferguson would like Roy Keane airbrushed from Manchester United's annals, but he would clearly be happy if the player's name were never brought up within his earshot again.

In his programme notes for tonight's Champions League tie against Villarreal, Ferguson devotes only two paragraphs out of 800 words to the most successful captain in the club's history, and he has decided never to speak about him again in public.

As Ferguson expertly blanked every question about Keane at yesterday's press conference and shrugged his shoulders when informed the supporters deserved an explanation, it became clear another distinguished name had been added to his list of taboo subjects. The one that begins with David Beckham and takes in the Glazer family, Rock Of Gibraltar and any number of old foes, from Jaap Stam to Peter Kenyon and the FA's chief executive, Brian Barwick.

To the first Keane-related question, Ferguson stiffened in his seat and responded tartly: "Has that got anything to do with the Villarreal game?"

He was pressed for his version of events surrounding Keane's departure and replied: "I've already given it."

Really? A proper explanation?

"Well, that's all you're going to get from me. Nice try, though."

It was put to him that millions of United fans were waiting to hear his side of the story. "I'm sure they are," he blithely replied, before changing the subject.

Presumably, the Glazer sons were given a fuller account during a club briefing on the Keane affair upon their arrival in Manchester yesterday.

Perhaps inadvertently, and without referring specifically to Keane, Ferguson later outlined the negatives of losing such an experienced campaigner. "The teams who have won the European Cup are all experienced, with an average age of 28 to 30. You can't say that about our team. Five of our players were under 21 (against Chelsea). It's asking a lot to get consistency with such a raw team. Players can't last forever, and that's the horrible part of being a manager, seeing great players getting older and having to make changes."

Without the 34-year-old Keane, United may not be streetwise enough to cope with the rigours of the Champions League. In the worst-case scenario, this season's campaign may even be concluded tonight with a Villarreal win, coupled with a Lille defeat of Benfica, though the Spaniards are hampered by injuries, not so much to the former United striker Diego Forlan but their brilliant Argentinian playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme.

Given his reservations about the team's lack of 30-somethings, Ferguson will welcome the return of Gary Neville after a three-month lay-off, identifying the defender as Keane's possible successor as captain.

"Paul Scholes is happy to see someone else wearing the armband, as I don't think he was enjoying it," said United's manager. "We've had a fantastic response from Ruud van Nistelrooy since he took it, so I have a big decision to make. There's Gary and Ryan Giggs, and others such as Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney, Mikael Silvestre and Edwin van der Sar."

It was noticeable that he did not mention Rio Ferdinand, despite having officially appointed him vice-captain last season. Ferdinand has clearly paid the price for rubbing Ferguson up the wrong way, although not as heavy a price as Keane, whom journalists will be forbidden from asking about in future press conferences.

Ferguson shook his head when he was asked if he feared a pro-Keane "backlash" from the crowd, but he would be wrong to believe the supporters fully back him. On the front cover of the new Red Issue fanzine, he is pictured next to Keane with a speech bubble saying: "You shouldn't be saying things like that."

Keane's speech bubble says: "No - you should."

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

MANCHESTER UTD (4-1-3-1-1): Van der Sar; Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, O'Shea; Smith; Fletcher, Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo; Rooney; Van Nistelrooy.

VILLARREAL (4-2-3-1): Viera; Kromkamp, Rodriguez, Pena, Arruabarrena; Josico, Senna; Garcia, Sorin, Jose Mari; Figueroa.

Referee: M De Santis (Italy).

Guardian Service