Fergie happy with Veron's first season

Alex Ferguson has reiterated his backing for under-fire Manchester United midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron.

Ferguson was quick to praise Veron, who has been made the scapegoat by many for United’s Champions League exit at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen.

He is angry by the media treatment of the £28.m (€45m) Argentine and yet more stories claiming the midfielder is on his way back to Lazio following a dressing room bust-up.

Ferguson dismissed the stories as ‘‘rubbish’’ and insisted he is happy with Veron’s form during his first season in England.

‘‘Obviously Seba’s not going to score the goals that Ruud van Nistelrooy scores and that’s not why we bought him,’’ he said on MUTV.

‘‘But I think he’s done fine. I’ve been pleased with his performances and it’s a media thing which is disappointing.’’

Ferguson has begrudgingly admitted Arsenal would be worthy champions because of their recent form.

The United manager had hoped to be within striking distance of Arsenal going into tomorrow night’s title decider at Old Trafford.

However, Arsenal’s magnificent 11-game winning run means they need just one point to clinch the Barclaycard Premiership crown and their second Double in four years.

As disappointed as Ferguson is by Arsenal’s form, he also appreciates it.

‘‘In the situation we’re in, we had hoped that Arsenal would have dropped two points or drawn a game to allow us an opportunity to win the league,’’ he said.

‘‘If that had been the case, then this would have been our biggest game of the season.

‘‘But they’ve got the cushion, although we’ve done our best.

‘‘We’ve beaten Leeds away, Chelsea away and Ipswich away in the last few weeks, but Arsenal have been winning all their games as well, so great credit to them.

‘‘That’s championship form and you can’t deny it.

‘‘If you win your last 11 games, which they have done up until now, and in addition, I think they have not lost a goal in their last five games that’s championship form.

‘‘No matter what happens earlier in the season, you win the league in April and May.’’