Keane is the modern day equivalent of Robson, an inspirational team-mate refusing to settle for second-best.

The pair's careers overlapped when Keane first joined Manchester United from Nottingham Forest and have

remained close despite Robson's subsequent departure. Robson believes Keane remains a key figure in Ferguson's plans, but, after hitting the headlines continually since the summer, the ex England captain accepts there may be a need to take him out of the firing line. "You can't keep having your captain involved in controversial situations," he said.

"Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in the world and if you are going to captain them you have to handle yourself immaculately on and off the pitch. Obviously that is impossible for anyone, but Roy has to make sure incidents such as these are few and far between.

"If he is involved in too many more controversies, Alex might look at the situation and think whether he should give the captaincy to David Beckham or Gary Neville to take the pressure off a little bit.

"People have come out with ridiculous comments suggesting he might pack the game in but after everything that's happened it's not a bad thing Roy is getting the chance to step back from the limelight because of his operation.

"He is an honest lad but sometimes you can be too honest and a lot of things that have happened recently have been damaging to both him and Manchester United,'' Robson said.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa have told United they fully support the Premier League's decision not to consider rearranging the two clubs' Premiership clash on October 26.

The game at Villa Park falls in between United's Champions League matches away to Olympiakos and Maccabi Haifa but the Premier League will not sanction the domestic fixture being moved so United can cut down on travelling and stay abroad.

The League have not received an official approach from United but Villa boss Graham Taylor is adamant such a plan would not fit in with his plans.

''Our feeling is that we have to look at our interests as well and we wouldn't want the game to be called off. We have a break on October 12, we play on October 21 and, if the United game was called off, we'd have a fortnight break before we play again. It is not us being pig-headed. It's us looking after our interests like Manchester United."