Fergie wants support from fans

ALEX FERGUSON anticipates the 100% backing of Manchester United’s disgruntled fans when he re-enters the Old Trafford cauldron for tonight’s Champions League clash with Benfica.

In the aftermath of Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Blackburn, the most successful manager in British soccer history trudged down the tunnel with the jeers of United's own fans ringing in his ears.

The Scot bore the weight of anger as growing criticism over his team's tactics and the surprising omission of Wayne Rooney saw tempers in the stands boil over. As he looked to the first meeting between United and the Portuguese giants since their 1968 European Cup Final encounter at Wembley, which saw United become the first English side to win the competition, Ferguson made it clear the treatment meted out to him at the weekend was not a subject up for discussion.