Boss eyes ex-Red tests
Sir Alex Ferguson has promised Roy Keane a raucous welcome when he brings Sunderland to Old Trafford next season as his former players "gang up" on him in the Premiership.
The master will keenly scour the 2007/08 fixtures when they are released in mid-June, to see when he will face his protégés. He'll come up against at least two former United captains - Steve Bruce's Birmingham City are also back in the Premiership. A third ex-Reds skipper, Bryan Robson, is touted for the Sheffield United hotseat vacated by Neil Warnock.
"My old players are queuing up to gang up against me these days," Sir Alex told Inside United magazine.
Keane drew a record crowd for a testimonial match to Old Trafford in May 2006, but he will return for the first time in a competitive match next term following his successful transition from the heartbeat of one team to the mastermind of another.
"It is great because over the years we have had them walk back out at Old Trafford and retain a great rapport with the fans," added the boss.
"It'll be the same with Roy. When he brings Sunderland to Old Trafford he'll get a terrific reception. He deserves it."
Sir Alex says the flurry of former players-turned-managers is down to the infectious nature of life at United.
"Being at this club gets to you,” he said. "It's infectious, you don't want to leave the game, you want to carry on."
If Robson is appointed at Sheffield United, he'll complete an eleven of former Reds currently managing league clubs - accounting for 12% of the 92.