Defiant Fergie tells Veron: ignore media criticism
Veron was heavily criticised by the media for his poor form last season and also endured a disappointing World Cup as pre-tournament favourites Argentina failed to make it beyond the group stages.
"Within the confines of the club we will continue to assure him and make sure it doesn't affect him," Ferguson said. "It is probably the first time in his life that he has been really criticised.
"I still can't see that he was as bad as some people made out. It has been a new area for him. But he is a strong character and I know he will fight back."
Ferguson rounded on the media last season, when United failed to win a trophy for the first time in four years, for criticising Veron.
He has advised the Argentine, who joined the club last summer for £28.1 million from Lazio, to ignore what the newspapers write in the coming season, which starts on August 17.
"The press have got their teeth into Seba Veron," he added. "He has to see that that is all it is and be strong enough to handle it. Which he definitely is."
Ferguson, who smashed the British transfer record to buy Leeds United defender Rio Ferdinand for £30m on Monday, also hinted he would persist with playing three central midfielders in a 4-5-1 formation next season.
The tactic coincided with United's poor start a year ago, when they slumped to mid-table before recovering to finish third in the premier league.
"When we operated with three in midfield there is no doubt we controlled most of the games and our European form was terrific," Ferguson said. "We are very hard to beat with three in the central midfield."
With Veron, Roy Keane, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs, United are spoilt for choice in midfield. "It can cause problems fitting people in when you have six excellent players in midfield," Ferguson said. "But a full season gives you a feel of what is best for the team."
Ferguson believes that too many of his players were affected by media criticism of the team's tactics last season.
"A lot of them were reading the papers too much," he said. "Newspapers have nothing to do with Manchester United. They shouldn't affect the way we are going about our job.
"It doesn't matter if we play nine centre forwards, if we don't win we will be crucified anyway."
Tottenham's proposed move for Leeds striker Robbie Keane could hinge on Darren Anderton going in the other direction.
Leeds have targeted the former England midfielder, who has three years left on his contract at White Hart Lane.
Glenn Hoddle admitted yesterday that he has several strikers in mind and David Pleat, the club's director of football, revealed on Tuesday that Keane is top of that list.
Leeds are keen to sell the Republic of Ireland World Cup star but want to recoup £10m of the £12m they paid Inter Milan last summer. Tottenham are unable to raise that sort of cash and Hoddle is facing the dilemma of whether to release his long-serving midfielder to facilitate a deal.
A highly placed source at Elland Road revealed that a swap deal involving Anderton would enable Spurs to get their man.
Meanwhile Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is optimistic that Keane's international teammate Clinton Morrison will finally move to the club in a £4m deal by the weekend.
Morrison has already agreed personal terms with the Premiership newcomers and is set to put pen to paper on a four-year contract.
But the move is still being held up by Andrew Johnson, who has still to reach agreement over his terms with Palace in a switch in the opposite direction.
He has already rejected two deals but Bruce is confident there will be a positive conclusion after speaking to Johnson and his agent.
Bruce, currently in Scotland with Birmingham on their pre-season tour, said: "We are very close to a transfer. We have sorted out all details [with Morrison].
"Andrew Johnson is part of the deal and hopefully in the next 24 hours, or certainly by the end of the week, it will be concluded."
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