Keane set for central defence role
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Roy Keane (red hat) trains with Ryan Giggs ahead of United's crunch Champions League tie in Oporto.
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OPORTO, Portugal -- Manchester United captain Roy Keane is set to be switched into central defence for the hard-pressed English champions as they visit Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday.
With Rio Ferdinand sidelined by a doping ban and injuries to other defenders, United have been shipping goals in domestic action.
Keane is far from enthusiastic about playing in the middle of defence. But with Wes Brown still not fully fit, the Irishman could partner either John O'Shea or Gary Neville.
United have been hit hard by the loss of French defender Mikael Silvestre for both legs of the second round tie as a result of ankle ligament damage.
"Losing Mikael is a big blow for us but we will just have to get on with it," United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted.
Ferdinand's absence has contributed to an alarming slump in United's English Premier League form, which, following Saturday's 1-1 draw with Leeds, has left Ferguson's men seven points adrift of Arsenal in the title race.
In their last five games, United have conceded 11 goals and displayed a collective lack of discipline that could cost them dear in the testing environment of the Champions League's knockout stages.
"The manager told us before the Leeds game he didn't want us staggering into the Champions League but that is what we have done," England international Phil Neville admitted.
"We need to start playing winning football again, even if it means doing it the ugly way.
"Wednesday's game is a massive one for us now and hopefully it will bring out the best in us as it has done in the past. But if we play anything like we have done in the last couple of weeks, we will be out of the competition."
In contrast to United, Porto are comfortably on track to retain national title and Ferguson will be wary of opponents who overcame Celtic in last season's UEFA Cup final and are astutely organised by one of Europe's most highly rated young coaches, Jose Mourinho.
"They are a very aggressive side and they pass the ball quickly," Ferguson acknowledged.
"They have a few key players like (playmaker) Deco and with the two full-backs bombing on all the time, Nuno Valente and (Paulo) Ferreira, they are a danger.
"There is also a lot of experience at the back in Jorge Costa so hopefully we can get our best performance in Europe because it is going to be needed."
