Reds boss dismisses Keane criticism

SIR Alex Ferguson hit back at former skipper Roy Keane's damning assessment of Manchester United’s Champions League exit.

Keane lambasted his old club in the wake of their 2–1 defeat to Basle in Switzerland last night, which dumped them into the Europa League.

The controversial Irishman claimed it was “a reality check” for the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Ashley Young, all of whom received substantial praise for their performances during United’s flying start to the season. Ferguson was unimpressed.

Yet, on a night when they failed to find a suitable answer to goals from Marco Streller and Alexander Frei until Jones bagged a late consolation and also lost skipper Nemanja Vidic to a knee injury, the United boss has big questions to answer.

Never has a lack of creativity in midfield looked more glaringly obvious. Restored to a central striking role, Wayne Rooney was poor, and, with injuries and suspensions biting deep into his squad, United’s cover was not good enough.

The loss of up to £20million in revenue is a substantial blow to the balance sheet, as is appearing in UEFA’s secondary, Thursday night competition.

Ferguson blamed the costly failure to hold on to a two–goal lead against Basle in the second round of matches in the group phase as the chief cause of United’s dismal campaign.

“We were careless. We let ourselves down badly,” he said.



WAYNE Rooney faced a UEFA disciplinary hearing today in attempt to reduce a three–game ban imposed following his dismissal in Montenegro two months ago.

Rooney left his Mancheser United team–mates following their disastrous 2–1 Champions League defeat to Basle last night to make the two–and–a–half hour trip to Nyon.

He was due to be joined by England coach Fabio Capello and four lawyers for the hearing.