Alex Ferguson has earmarked Waterford's John O'Shea and England international Nicky Butt as Roy Keane's successor at the heart of Manchester United's midfield.

Keane, who says he is no longer fit enough to play for both the Republic and United, has been forced into more of a defensive role. But Ferguson believes he has the ideal replacements.

"There is fantastic potential there. I am so very excited about what John may go on to achieve," he said yesterday. "He has played most of his games in defence, but with his balance and ability to play with both feet he could easily play in the centre of midfield."

O'Shea (21), is a great admirer of Keane's, but he says his role model is Old Trafford lion Paul McGrath.

"I definitely learned from Paul. He was so relaxed but he completely controlled games. I try to be composed and impose myself. I try to copy Paul," he said.

Ferguson can also count on Butt, who looks more and more like a revamped version of Nobby Stiles, the Manchester and England midfield terrier in the 1960s.

"If I was playing in the roughest and most intimidating of games, I would want Nicky by my side. Nobody will ever be able to bully him," said Manchester youth team coach Eric Harrison.

And if Keane's hip deterioration gets worse, then Ferguson knows who he can count on.

"Nobody underestimates the role Roy Keane plays here, but when he is missing we don't go shouting for him in the stands. Players emerge," he said.

Paul Scholes should be fit for Manchester United's League Cup final showdown with Liverpool on Sunday. Scholes missed the midweek triumph over Juventus, but Ferguson indicated that he should be okay for the Cardiff setpiece, although the hero of Turin, Ryan Giggs, is struggling to make it.

"The main worries are without question Wes Brown, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs," Ferguson said. "Of the three, I think Scholes has the better chance, but Giggs and Brown are very doubtful."

Ferguson also confirmed that Mikael Silvestre had fully recovered from his ankle injury but Diego Forlan is facing a month on the sidelines after damaging ankle ligaments against Juventus.

Midfielder Quinton Fortune, who was to make his comeback from a broken leg for the United reserves last night, could return to the squad for Sunday's final.