Fergie drops Gerrard hint

'To me, Gerrard is a Keane. He is now where Roy was when Ferguson is adamant that Keane still has a major role to play at Old Trafford and that he remains a unique influence on the pitch and the dressing-room.

Asked if the Irishman would be leaving the club to help United rebuild, Ferguson said: 'I don't see the need for that. Not at all.

'After he's had a good rest this summer followed by a good pre-season, we're going to work on the basis of how he feels. Roy's 33, but there are some players that are playing at 36 and 37 and doing well.

'He is an unusual person, he is a different breed of person to your normal footballer of today.'

Perhaps fired up by the need to find some form ahead of Saturday's FA Cup Final with Millwall, United played their best football for weeks against Aston Villa and it was difficult to see why they have struggled for long periods this season.

With Ryan Giggs and the improving Cristiano Ronaldo supporting solitary centre forward Van Nistelrooy and the terrific Darren Fletcher showing again that his best position is indeed in the centre of midfield, United played the slick and inventive football that has for so long been their trademark. It has been absent for much of their season.

Villa, despite the best efforts of their vocal supporters, failed to perform when it mattered most and allowing United to stride into a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes did not help.

Both times Villa played a part in their own downfall. First Ulises De La Cruz gave up possession to allow Ronaldo to strike clinically with his right foot from 20 yards. Then young defender Liam Ridgewell missed a Paul Scholes cross and watched as Van Nistelrooy compounded his embarrassment with a clinical finish.

The second-half dismissals of Fletcher and Ronaldo served to give Villa some hope and had referee Rob Styles not mistakenly ruled out a late goal for a perceived foul on keeper Tim Howard, the home team might have prospered at the end.

Now manager David O'Leary will continue to put pressure on chairman Doug Ellis to come up with the money for the six new players he believes he needs.

'The challenge for me is to do the best I can,' said O'Leary. 'And this season we've finished best of the rest.'