Keane rejects price claims

Keane celebrates the Premiership title with his family

Roy Keane has branded Manchester United's decision to blame his wage increase for the hike in season ticket prices as "a stupid mistake".

I'm still waiting for my apology but I could be waiting a long time

Roy Keane

The club sent a letter to fans claiming one of the reasons for the ticket increase was the United captain's wage rise - to £52,000 a week - which made sure he stayed at Old Trafford and did not leave under the Bosman ruling.

"I'm not one for holding grudges but this was a stupid mistake, a bad public relations exercise and something that should never have happened," Keane is quoted as saying in The Sunday People.

"I'm still waiting for my apology but I could be waiting a long time.

Sir Alex has given the club unprecedented success

"The board have tried to explain what they meant, that it was part of a wider picture of trying to keep the fans informed, telling them the club wanted to rebuild and strengthen, which is why prices were going up.

"The fact is nobody should be singled out in a letter. It wasn't right. I felt everything was being laid at my door."

United fans were also given a boost on Sunday, however, with the news that manager Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly keen to stay on at the English champions when his contract expires in 2002.

It was previously thought Ferguson - who arrived at Old Trafford in 1986 - would walk away from the club to make way for a new man.

It would be nice to play some part and to remain attached to this club.

Sir Alex Ferguson

But, according to the News of the World newspaper, Ferguson is far from keen to end his United career.

"I'd like to stay here after my current two years are up," he is quoted as saying.

"If it is time to move on I have no problem with that. But it would be nice to play some part and to remain attached to this club."

Ferguson said at the beginning of the year he planned to remain active in the game after his time as United coach and could take up some consultancy work.

Since arriving at Old Trafford, the Scot has turned United into the dominant force in English football, winning an unprecedented treble last season of the European Cup, FA Cup and English Premier League.