Ferguson urges Keane to drop Ireland duty

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has urged former Ireland skipper Roy Keane to follow Alan Shearer's example by quitting international football to concentrate on his Old Trafford career.

Shearer's career has blossomed at Newcastle since retiring from England duty after Euro 2000 and Ferguson believes 31-year-old Keane could do the same.

"I'll sit down with Roy and let him know what I think. But you only have to look at how Alan Shearer has benefited from not playing for England to see that it can help players of Roy's age," said Ferguson.

Keane missed the Republic of Ireland's World Cup campaign after being sent home after a furious row with former national manager Mick McCarthy, an incident many believe played a major part in the coach's eventual axing.

He is expected to return to international duty under new manager Brian Kerr but Ferguson believes recent injuries could see his captain retire from the international scene.

Ferguson told the Sunday People: "People are assuming that he is just going to go straight back into international football. But the situation is more complicated than that.

"I think the medical staff who look after Roy may be the key people in him reaching his decision.

"I'll point to Shearer as an example of what can be achieved by players in their 30s opting out of the international game.

"Shearer discovered that you can't please three parts of the football equation. Maybe Roy would be better settling for just two - Manchester United and himself."