Keane confident of rising to the ultimate challenge

If asked to nominate the finest performance by a player under his management, Sir Alex Ferguson would almost certainly choose the driven, inspired display by Roy Keane against Juventus which dragged Manchester United to the European Cup final.

The 3-2 victory in the Stadio delle Alpi four years ago, following a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, was probably the summit of Keane's career which was all the more remarkable because a booking meant he would be suspended for the final against Bayern Munich. "Far from inhibiting him, the card seemed to inspire him to make sure the others got to the final in Barcelona," said Ferguson. "It was a truly selfless contribution."

Since Keane's return from a hip operation, which cost him several months of this season, many have wondered whether the Manchester United captain has the same level of performance in him as Keane has played within himself, less recklessly perhaps, but also with less inspiration.

But when he was asked if he could still reach the same heights as in the 1999 semi-final in Turin, Keane's response was unhesitating: "Without a doubt, yes. A lot has been made of my injuries; a lot of that was my own fault, talking too much about it. Over the last three weeks, I've felt strong, physically and mentally, and feel the sharpness is definitely back."

Since Manchester United won the European Cup, an experience he did not truly feel a part of, Keane has long been irritated by the club's performances against the élite of the Champions' League, claiming that Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, who eliminated United in 2000 and 2001, had set standards his own club had let slide since the triumph at the Nou Camp. When United lined up for last year's semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen, Keane noted one of his team-mates "shaking with nerves".

"Our European form has improved in the last year or two, but the ultimate is going on to win it, as Real Madrid have done nine times," he said. "People may say that is unfair, but that is the benchmark I set myself. The team has moved on and improved but, as I keep saying, last year we came unstuck [against Leverkusen] when we all thought it was there for us."

This time, however, Keane senses a greater confidence about the club, as they approach tonight's quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, perhaps derived from the remarkable sequence in which they have put 15 goals past Liverpool, Newcastle, Arsenal and Blackburn: "The form the team is in and the spirit among the players is as good as I've known in the 10 years I've been here," he said. "We're disappointed to be going in 3-1 down, but this is the best chance we'll ever have of rising to the challenge.

"If ever a team is ready for the biggest challenge they've ever faced, against the European champions, then the time is now. Real had a tough game the other night against Barcelona and the amount of chances we are creating in games is frightening."

Against football's ultimate team, chances will have to be taken. When Real came to Old Trafford three years ago, United were too gung-ho and suffered. In the Bernabeu a couple of weeks ago, Keane thought his team overly cautious.

"In the first half the players stood off them too much and that won't be the case now. Madrid will know they have been in a tough game; maybe they did not feel that in the first half over there. After the disappointments of last season, we are desperate for some silverware and that will show."