SOCCER: Manchester United produced an unprecedented show of unity yesterday with manager Alex Ferguson vowing to fight the club's critics.

In an effort to quell growing speculation surrounding the futures of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Keane, both men, accompanied by Ferguson, appeared together to publicly declare their intention to stay at Old Trafford to the summer and beyond.

For a club that normally reacts to any transfer rumour with a curt "no comment" the sight of three major figures facing their inquisitors was startling but, according to Ferguson, the magnitude of the "gossip" meant it was something which had to be done.

"When I first came to Manchester United 17 years ago, I was linked with 112 players in a single year," said the Scot. "I am experienced enough to know this club makes news on the front and back pages. That doesn't surprise me. What annoys me is that the crescendo of unfounded gossip is becoming silly and dangerous.

"You wonder if people are trying to dismantle the spirit in the club or if they are trying to unbalance us before the FA Cup final.

"Whatever the reasons, it's important that we clarify the situation for the benefit of everyone concerned."

Ferguson and his two players unequivocally spelt out the situation - both players are staying where they are.

Some of the other "gossip" was also explained by the trio. Van Nistelrooy did have a training ground argument with David Bellion last week, but it was no more ferocious than the normal day-to-day spats at any club.

Ferguson has not fallen out with Keane over his Republic of Ireland U-turn and there has been no bust-up with his captain over the future direction of the club.

"As far as Ruud is concerned, we wanted to clarify whether he is going to Barcelona, Real Madrid or whether he is staying here," said Ferguson.

"Roy is the same. There has been speculation that he is going to Celtic, that he has had a massive bust-up with me and that the Irish situation has been a problem. It hasn't been."

Keane added: "Without a doubt, I will be here next season and beyond that probably. I have two years left on my contract and I see this as being my last club."

As for van Nistelrooy, he said: "The rumours haven't been unsettling for me because I know the situation and I know what really is going on - I am going nowhere.

"But I can imagine people will read things and think about it. That is why I want to clear it for everybody else." It is thought the stories linking him with Madrid are emanating from Real themselves in the hope that speculation will help them land a man who has scored 106 times in less than three seasons since his £19-million move from PSV Eindhoven.

The tactic has worked in the past, notably with Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo, and van Nistelrooy's agent Rodger Linse is known to have held high-level discussions with Real officials. However, any movement towards a transfer has now been stopped by the Dutchman.

"Rodger is my agent, he works for me," said the 27-year-old forward. "I told him I want to stay. He knows that and he is not talking to anybody else about me.

"I signed a new contract in January and I said in the past I am going nowhere. I want to stay and be part of the club over the next four years and I will keep reminding everybody that is the case."

Yesterday's developments followed previous statements from all three men - and chief executive David Gill - none of which had proved sufficient to dampen down the speculation.

One of the major reasons previous denials have been dismissed so swiftly, even by fans, is they are so reminiscent of the ones produced 12 months ago to head off transfer talk linking David Beckham with the move to Real Madrid that eventually went through in July.

Old Trafford officials have pointed out that since then, Gill has replaced Peter Kenyon in the top job, while director of communications Paddy Harverson has also departed. Gill was kept fully informed of yesterday's three-pronged assault on the rumour mill and will now hope the club can look forward to the future with more certainty.

Attention has been diverted away from today's trip to Blackburn, where United require a win to maintain their pursuit of second spot.

Both Keane and van Nistelrooy are fitness doubts.

Keane is still troubled by the hamstring problem that forced him out of Ireland's midweek trip to Poland, while van Nistelrooy missed last weekend's disappointing home loss to Liverpool with a thigh strain.