SOCCER: Manchester United captain Roy Keane has admitted Rio Ferdinand's eight-month ban had a negative effect on the Old Trafford outfit.

Ferdinand returned to the Manchester United starting line-up on Monday night after serving the suspension imposed following his infamous missed drugs test last September.

United manager Alex Ferguson wasted no time in re-uniting Ferdinand with Mikael Silvestre at the heart of his rearguard, a partnership Keane reckons could eventually become as effective as the combination of Steve Bruce alongside Gary Pallister in the Corkman's early years at the club.

The pair were impressive as United emerged 2-1 victors over old rivals Liverpool to re-ignite their Premiership title hopes.

But for Keane, the most important factor is that Ferdinand's return will stop the talk he felt was dragging the club down.

"It is the end of a chapter that brought a lot of negativity to the club," Keane told MUTV. "It was draining and affected people at the club. The fact he is back means it is over with now and we can start talking about football again."

Keane's stark admission is backed up by the statistics.

United were top of the Premiership with the best defensive record in the league when Ferdinand began his suspension in January.

By the time he returned, Arsenal had already wrapped up one title and have stolen a march on the Old Trafford outfit in this season's Barclays Premiership as well.

Monday's win saw the gap close to seven points and while there is still plenty of work for United to do, Keane is optimistic his team-mates can put up a credible challenge, particularly if Ferdinand and Silvestre stay fit.

The central defensive pairing boasted an impressive 50 per cent clean-sheet rate before they were split last term, and only an unlucky John O'Shea own goal prevented them from improving that record against Liverpool.

And while physically the two players are different to Bruce and Pallister, who provided the bedrock for the first three of the eight championships United have won in the Ferguson era, Keane thinks the duo can be equally successful.

"Steve and Gary were outstanding as a defensive unit but Rio and Mikael have what it takes to be just as good," said Keane.

"Rio is a naturally fit lad and has a physical presence about him and he gives the other defenders an opportunity to play."

The return of Ferdinand, plus Wayne Rooney's impending debut, means United are getting the kind of strength in depth that has served them so well over the past decade.

Rooney is still continuing his recovery from a broken foot but is expected to play against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on October 3rd.

And that should help take some pressure off fellow teenager Cristiano Ronaldo, who ravaged Liverpool's defences on Monday, leaving even his notoriously hard-to-please captain gobsmacked.

"I was going to criticise him for shooting at one point but I had to shut my mouth because he ended up hitting the post," said Keane.

"People underestimate how strong he is on the ball. He has quick feet and can go either way. He puts defenders on the back foot and is probably one of the most exciting players I can remember in all my time at the club."

United's mini revival gets its latest test at in-form Tottenham on Saturday. Ironically, Spurs were the team Keane supported as a boy, mainly in hero worship of Glenn Hoddle. Not that there will be any thought in his mind other than victory when he steps out at White Hart Lane. United's position is far too delicate for that.

"There is no need to panic because there is a long way to go yet," said Keane, whose side are now in eighth spot.

"But the win on Monday was a great boost for everyone and it would be nice now to go on a long, unbeaten run."