United we must stand, says Ferguson as criticism mounts

By Simon Stone

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Alex Ferguson has emphasised the need for his players to stand together in the face of mounting criticism.

Ferguson has proved to be a master psychologist over the years, developing a them-and-us attitude at Old Trafford which has proved the bedrock for years of success.

Over the past few weeks alone, the club has had to deal with the apparently never-ending controversy surrounding captain Roy Keane, an unexpected Champions League defeat at the hands of Hungarian minnows Zalaegerszeg and now a club-versus-country row following the removal of David Beckham from the England squad to play Portugal.

That move was compounded by the decision to play Paul Scholes against Middlesbrough last night, even though Sven-Goran Eriksson had apparently been informed the midfielder had not recovered from his recent ankle injury.

The pair is doubtful for next Wednesday’s tie with Bolton, although it would be no surprise to see both line up against Sam Allardyce’s side.

Cynics suggest it is just another ploy by Ferguson to ensure his players are fully fit for club duty, even though the FA has been keen to play down talk of a rift between the England boss and the country’s biggest club.

Far from backing away from the disputes, Ferguson seems to revel in the siege mentality - a trait also evident in Keane, whose recovery from a hip operation has now been timed at six weeks as opposed to the initial three months.

‘‘We have to be single-minded, starting with me and going right through the dressing room,’’ said Ferguson.

‘‘When we are having everything thrown at us we must stand together.

‘‘I think that the events of the last week or so indicate that the message has been received and understood.

‘‘The slightest fall in standards seems to invite torrents of criticism. Some have even been ready to claim our empire is crumbling or the bubble has burst and all that kind of rubbish.

‘‘Success over the years means that when we have a bit of a blip the roof falls in. Critics ignore the positive aspects and seize on perceived weaknesses.

‘‘The more success you have, the more it is in evidence - and it becomes a bigger factor all the time. I hope the players realise by now they have to live with it, and if they can’t they should know they are at the wrong club.’