Alex Ferguson believes Roy Keane has given himself the best chance possible of succeeding in the management game.

The pair go head to head at the Stadium of Light on St Stephen's  Day with Keane desperate for a win, which would halt Manchester United's title drive, but more importantly for the Corkman, help drag Sunderland out of the relegation mire.

Keane's side have flattered to deceive at times this season, beating Tottenham in their opening game back in the top flight and performing creditably against all the top four without collecting any points.

As Keane has been quick to point out, the Black Cats have also been on the wrong end of two woeful refereeing decisions over the past fortnight which have cost his side three precious points.

The result is that Sunderland find themselves perilously placed as they hurtle towards 2008, with Keane accepting he needs more quality on Wearside if the club are to survive.

While no-one, from chairman Niall Quinn down to the supporters, is questioning Keane's abilities, in a sport where Lawrie Sanchez found himself sacked after just 22 league matches, nothing can be taken for granted.

However, in preparing himself for a post-playing career by collecting his UEFA coaching badges while he was still skipper of United, Ferguson feels his warhorse provided himself with the perfect base to launch his time in management.

"I never told him to be a manager," he said.  "It doesn't matter whether you are a top player or not. It is a hard profession to go into, harder than it has ever been.

"You only need to ask Lawrie Sanchez what a precarious job it is. We have foreign ownership and a different type of media. The demands are far higher than when I first started.

"The only advice I could give anyone is to go for your coaching badges to prepare the best way you can. At least then, you have a chance.

"Roy was doing his badges two years before he quit. That was a wise move. When they are still playing, the lads have time on their hands. They can make a final decision about management once they have something behind them."

Although Ferguson ultimately ended Keane's days at United abruptly, in the wake of the midfielder's powderkeg MUTV interview, which has still never been broadcast, the pair are still in contact.

"I get the odd text from him," said Ferguson. "Asking for a player usually."

The Scot has not always refused either, loaning Sunderland Jonny Evans and Danny Simpson last season, while selling the Wearsiders Liam Miller and Kieran Richardson.

However, come 3pm on Wednesday, it will be every man for himself.

"We are all the same," added Ferguson. "We all have our jobs to do."

Having spent virtually his entire career winning matches, Keane is suddenly getting accustomed to losing them.

Ten of the 18 games Sunderland have played this season have ended in defeat, although, tellingly as far as this week's confrontation is concerned, only two - against Liverpool and Blackburn - have been on home soil.

Yet Ferguson does not believe being on the wrong end of a result is necessarily a problem for Keane. It is the way his former captain responds to the losses that Ferguson feels is important.

"Losing is part of the game," he said. "He lost games here. We didn't win every week. As I keep saying about my own team, it is how you recover from a defeat is important. Handling losing is part of the job.

"That is your challenge as a manager. That is your test. No-one is any different. I have had some belting results and say 'Where do I go from here'. I lost 5-0 to Newcastle once. How do you think I felt after that?"

Ferguson is predicting 'a couple' of changes to the side which defeated Everton yesterday.

Veteran wide-man Ryan Giggs is among the most likely to be rested, with Nani eager for an opportunity to shine.

Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves are expected to return from a gashed foot and back injury respectively, while Park Ji-sung could return to Ferguson's squad for the first time since March after recovering from major knee surgery.

However, Edwin van der Sar's groin strain could keep him out of the entire festive programme, so Tomasz Kuszczak continues in goal.  PA