Alex Ferguson has hinted Roy Keane's advancing years have contributed to a change of tactics for Manchester United this season.
Ferguson has come under fire in some quarters for opting to play a lone striker, notably in the Champions League and high-profile domestic matches.
However, the Scot has suggested he feels the move is necessary to allow Keane to play more of a holding role.
"We're doing the right thing to retain Keane in our side," Ferguson said. "We want him in there so we make sure the support is around him.
"What the change means is that Roy plays deeper and Paul Scholes has to operate over more ground," quotes the Mail on Sunday.
Former United favourites Jimmy Greenhoff and Lou Macari have both hit out at Ferguson's tendency to operate a 4-5-1 formation this season.
"We don't want to go the way of boring Italian football with five in midfield and one up front," blasted Greenhoff.
"We are just not hurting anyone - and it is about time we did. In 1999 if the opposition scored two goals we would score three."
Macari added: "Wayne Rooney should be up front where he can hurt people, not on the wing. And Alan Smith is not a midfielder, he doesn't have the craft or vision.
"If you try to make players into something they should never be, you give yourself problems."
