STEVE McCLAREN yesterday insisted that Roy Keane is still the heartbeat of Manchester United - and he would have him at Middlesbrough any day.

McClaren, Sir Alex Ferguson's former right-hand man, takes his side to Old Trafford tonight fearing a backlash after United's stormy weekend visit to Sunderland ended with hothead Keane being sent off for the tenth time in his career with the Red Devils.

Keane, facing an FA charge and probable suspension over his autobiography in which he admitted deliberately injuring Manchester City's Alfe-Inge Haaland, will be banned for three matches for elbowing Sunderland's Jason McAteer in the head in the final minute of Saturday's game.

Keane yesterday even found himself under attack from Ferguson, who in a remarkable U-turn confirmed United would not be appealing against his captain's dismissal and confessed he deserved a red card.

Ferguson has always stood squarely behind Keane through all his troubles, and many feel the manager's admission - only hours after insisting the challenge on McAteer was "innocuous'' - could be the beginning of the end for the 31-year-old midfielder at Old Trafford.

Some even suggest that Keane, who retired from the international arena this summer when he was banished from the Republic of Ireland's World Cup squad, could quit football altogether.

But McClaren is not among them. The Boro boss admits that, given Keane's hunger for football, it would be difficult to see him ever turn his back on the game.

And McClaren believes the biggest losers in such a scenario would be United.

"I think he epitomises everything about Manchester United and is the reason why they have been so successful over the past ten years,'' declared McClaren.

"They are winners and so is Roy. He wants the best and will only accept the best. He has a will to win and if you take that away from him, you only have 50 per cent of the person.

"He can't lose that edge to his game. Why change that? He's been like that all his career.

"He's a fantastic player and I have nothing but admiration for the man.

"He's a straight-forward guy and a really good pro. I enjoyed working with him - I never had any problems with him.

"In my time there, I couldn't fault him in anything he did. He was a tremendous leader on and off the pitch and he's always been like that.

"My opinion will never change on Roy and if you asked anyone in football if they would like him in their team, I would say 100 per cent would say 'yes' - and I'm no different.

"He's the same whether it's a five-a-side game or a European Cup tie. He'll be the same as ever against us - he's a big threat.''

Boro, who won 1-0 at Old Trafford last season against a United side minus Keane, are level on five points with Ferguson's men and likewise undefeated in their first three Premiership games after Saturday's last-gasp home win over Blackburn.

But McClaren will have his players on their mettle against a side he believes are still hurting from last season's title loss.

"They seem very motivated and it looks as if they want to put right the wrongs of last year,'' said McClaren.

"There seems to be a definite steeliness about them. The disappointment of last year will have hurt them and they'll come back this year stronger and determined to prove people wrong.

"I think the signing of Rio Ferdinand from Leeds for £30m was a statement of their intent. They are going to make sure they win something this year.

"There's no-one playing better than David Beckham at the moment and they've got Ryan Giggs on the other side of the field, and there's Ruud van Nistelrooy and Juan Veron. You could go on all day about the players they've got.

"But we've proved we can go there and compete and we must make sure we're not fazed.

"Let's hope David Beckham has his mind on other things having just become a father again!''

McClaren singled out former United midfielder Jonathan Greening for special praise.

Greening moved from Old Trafford last summer for £2m and McClaren said: "He's the one who has pleased me most so far this season.

"He's come back stronger and more mature. He's taken on the responsibility that Paul Ince and Robbie Mustoe had when they were here. Jonathan's first tackle on David Dunn on Saturday was a real bone-cruncher.''

Boro have Franck Queudrue (ankle), Ugo Ehiogu (foot) and Alen Boksic (thigh) under treatment, but all are expected to be fit.

Meanwhile, McClaren revealed that Juninho's cruciate ligament operation in the United States had been "a success'' and he is back on Teesside to begin rehabilitation.

* Boro today hope to push through a deal for Australian defender Tony Vidmar, who has been on trial after being released by Rangers.

Steve McClaren will keep tabs on Strasbourg's Senegalese full-back Habib Beye, despite the player's decision to turn down a loan move.