MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Manchester United captain Roy Keane believes the return of Rio Ferdinand from his eight-month ban can lead to a new golden age at Old Trafford.
The England defender, who was handed the suspension after missing a drugs test, played a crucial part in his team's 2-1 win against old rivals Liverpool on Monday and Keane is confident that United can be a real title threat especially with Wayne Rooney soon to make his debut.
"It is the end of a chapter that brought a lot of negativity to the club," Keane told MUTV in reference to the Ferdinand affair.
"It was draining and affected people at the club. The fact he is back means it is over with now and we can start talking about football again."
United were top of the Premiership with the best defensive record in the league when Ferdinand began his suspension in January.
By the time he returned, Arsenal had already wrapped up one title and have opened up a healthy gap on the Old Trafford outfit in this season's Premiership as well.
Monday's win saw the gap close to seven points and while there is still plenty of work for United to do, Keane is optimistic his team-mates can put up a credible challenge, particularly if Ferdinand and Mikael Silvestre stay fit.
The central defensive pairing boasted an impressive 50% clean sheet rate before they were split last term, and only an unlucky John O'Shea own goal prevented them from improving that record against Liverpool.
"Rio is a naturally fit lad and has a physical presence about him and he gives the other defenders an opportunity to play," said Keane.
The return of Ferdinand, plus Rooney's impending debut, means United are now getting the kind of strength in depth that has served them so well over the past decade.
Rooney is still continuing his recovery from a broken foot but is expected to play against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on October 3.
That should help take some pressure off Cristiano Ronaldo, who bamboozled Liverpool's defence on Monday.
"I was going to criticise him for shooting at one point but I had to shut my mouth because he ended up hitting the post," said Keane.
"People underestimate how strong he is on the ball. He has quick feet and can go either way. He puts defenders on the back foot and is probably one of the most exciting players I can remember in all my time at the club."
United's next test is at Tottenham on Saturday.
"The win on Monday was a great boost for everyone and it would be nice now to go on a long, unbeaten run," said Keane.