Fergie v Keano feud brewing after United fail

Sir Alex Ferguson has hit back at his former skipper Roy Keane for laying into Manchester United's younger players following their Champions League exit.

Keane said his former side "got what they deserved" as they failed to make it out of the group stage following defeat to Basel.

Former United skipper Keane criticised the likes of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Ashley Young, but received a rebuke himself from Ferguson.

"Roy has an opportunity to prove himself as a manager and it's a hard job," said Ferguson.

"We have enough good young players at the club to see us through.

"It's part of football, you have to deal with disappointment and it's been used as motivation many times before.

"These young players will have to cope with it and get on with it in their careers."

Keane lambasted United's youngsters, saying: "People have talked about the young players.

"You've had Jones, Smalling and Young coming in, everybody building them up, but they've got a lot to do. It's a reality check for some.

"I'd be getting hold of some of those lads, saying, 'You'd better buck up your ideas.'

"I think their best player [tonight] was Ryan Giggs and that sums it up. He's 38, so you can't be depending on him.

"United got what they deserved."

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