Roy Keane will be used as an emergency central defender by Manchester United this season, Alex Ferguson has said.

The United manager intends to use Keane along with fellow midfielder Djemba-Djemba in his back-line after failing to sign defensive cover during the close season.

"Defensively we could still have a problem. We've got a good back four of Gary Neville, Mikael Silvestre, Rio (Ferdinand) and John O'Shea," Ferguson told the club's official magazine.

"Then I think Djemba-Djemba can play at right back as I've seen him perform there before and he did very, very well. Roy can also play centre half."

Keane played as a defender for a whole season at previous club Nottingham Forest and also featured successfully in the position against Juventus in the Champions League last year.

Ferguson is refusing to pay over the odds for a defender or waste money by buying a back-up he feels will not withstand the pressure of playing at Old Trafford.

"The back four itself apart from Rio can change positions, so I've some flexibility there. But maybe just one more player in that area would give us some comfort.

"But as Peter Kenyon said after the Ronaldinho deal fell through, the one thing Manchester United doesn't do is panic buy. We won't rush."

Gary Neville played 60 minutes for Manchester United's reserves on Wednesday and is now fit for selection against Newcastle on Sunday following a hamstring strain.

Close

Today's Top News		Top Sports News
+Chinese media: Breaking new ground ( 2003-08-22) +China redefines seven criminal charges ( 2003-08-22) +President: 'Open dialogue' key to talks ( 2003-08-22) +Drunk driving cover on offer ( 2003-08-22) +Sobig fastest e-mail infection ever ( 2003-08-22)		+Former champion Safin, Canas out of US Open ( 2003-08-22) +Makelele back in training with Real Madrid ( 2003-08-22) +World-Record 203 countries in 9th world championship ( 2003-08-22) +Ajax to ask FIFA to force Roma to honour Chivu deal ( 2003-08-22) +Keane to be used as emergency defender- Ferguson ( 2003-08-22)