Fergie backs Brown to lift United's spirits

ALEX FERGUSON has admitted Manchester United's confidence has taken a battering over the past month but is backing Wes Brown to lead the club out of their defensive crisis.

Brown returned to the Red Devils' line-up in Porto on Wednesday after being taken out of the firing line for a couple of games following some stuttering performances on his return from his second cruciate knee ligament operation.

That injury, suffered at Everton on the final day of last season, was the latest setback in the career of a man Ferguson regards as one of the unluckiest in the modern game.

The United boss estimates the 24-year-old has missed the equivalent of three full seasons during his succession of injuries, a run which has prevented him from becoming the regular international Ferguson believes his talent warrants.

With Rio Ferdinand suspended, Mikael Silvestre injured and Gary Neville missing the first game of a four-match domestic ban at Fulham tomorrow, Brown needs to find form fast if United are going to retain any chance of landing any silverware this season.

"There is a lack of confidence at the moment," admitted Ferguson.

"When you are losing goals it does affect you and it's unfortunate that it's the back four which is suffering from injuries and suspension.

"But one of the things that does encourage me is that Wes Brown is getting better all the time.

"His performance on Wednesday was outstanding. It was more of what we expect of him."

The critics were again sharpening their knives in midweek as two Benni McCarthy goals gave United a one-goal deficit to overcome in the return meeting at Old Trafford on March 9.

But Ferguson, who again condemned Porto's play-acting, has gone through the video numerous times since his return to England in the early of hours of yesterday and he has reached a different conclusion.

Ferguson had a chat with his former assistant and current Real Madrid coach Carlos Quieroz whose side scrambled to a 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich and agreed both their teams still had good chances of reaching the last eight.

The United boss also expressed the hope that UEFA will decide not to hand skipper Roy Keane anything more severe than a one-match suspension when they determine punishment next Friday, dismissing his challenge on Vitor Baia as 'trivial'.

While Keane will definitely miss the second leg, he is available for today's trip to Fulham, where he could be pulled back into a central defensive role alongside Brown.

The return of Irish international John O'Shea seems the more likely option, particularly as United know anything other than victory at Loftus Road would virtually end any remaining hopes of retaining their Premiership title.

Louis Saha's return to Loftus Road has been put at risk by the recurrence of a minor calf problem that forced him out of last weekend's disappointing draw at Leeds.

But, whether the Frenchman is involved or not, Ferguson believes now is the time for his squad to show their mettle.

"We have been written off many times over the years and the only way to respond is by winning football matches," he said.