Brown out for three months with broken ankle

MANCHESTER United defender Wes Brown has been ruled out for three months after a scan revealed he fractured his right ankle in their shock Champions League defeat to Zalaergeszegi.

Brown went down after a hefty challenge with Igor Budisa early in the qualifier in Budapest and manager Alex Ferguson admitted after the 1-0 loss he was expecting bad news.

The England defender had been seen as the stand-in for right-back Gary Neville, who is still nursing the foot he broke at the end of last season, giving Ferguson a major selection headache ahead of tomorrow’s Premiership clash with West Brom at Old Trafford. Apart from leaving Ferguson with few defensive options, it is also a major blow to the 22-year-old Manchester-born player, who signed a four-year contract with the Red Devils 12 months ago.

Meanwhile, skipper Roy Keane has refused to single out a scapegoat for the defeat in Hungary.

The finger of blame for Bela Koplarovic’s stunning late strike has been pointed at Phil Neville, who failed to cut out Balasz Molnar’s floated free-kick. The error allowed Tamas Szamos charge down the left and provide the cross which Koplarovic bundled home from close range to give Zalaegerszegi the biggest win in their history.

But Keane, who in his autobiography has accused some of his team-mates of losing their focus amid the mass of wealth they have accumulated, insisted the entire squad bore collective responsibility for the defeat, which leaves United’s Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

“It was a soft goal to give away,” he said. “We had possession just before the free-kick and then he just hit a long ball. It was a bad goal but we are all in this together and we must make sure we put it right in a couple of weeks.”

Despite the setback, United will be heavy favourites to overturn the deficit and advance into the group stages of the competition.

However, both Ferguson and his captain are all to aware their failure to convert just one of their many chances at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium on Wednesday, leaves United walking a tightrope.

Rennes defender Julien Escude is refusing to train with his team-mates in a bid to force the Breton club’s hand on a transfer deal with United.

The 23-year-old, rated in the £5million bracket, is upset talks with United stalled last weekend, but Rennes coach Philippe Bergeroo has has not tried to make him join in training.

“I went to see him,” Bergeroo said. “And I asked him whether he was training with us or not. He told me not to care about him, there is nothing else to say. He has excluded himself from the group.”

Escude said he informed the club almost a month ago that he wanted out and was still determined to go.

He said: “I am here for training but I am working alone, waiting for the next events to happen.”

Rennes reportedly are refusing to let him go unless United come up with a much improved offer.