Soccer: Alex Ferguson has never previously witnessed the level of abuse heaped on Blackburn boss Steve Kean at Ewood Park on Tuesday night.

The Rovers faithful have never taken to Kean but their relationship reached a new low in midweek as Rovers suffered a 2-1 defeat to Bolton that sent them plummeting to the foot of the Barclays Premier League.

With demonstrations taking place after the game, it was widely expected Kean would have been sacked by now.

The League Managers' Association have already criticised the club's owners, Venky's, for their handling of Blackburn and it is known former manager Mark Hughes is not keen on the idea of returning to a club in such turmoil.

Kean has survived to take charge of Rovers for their Boxing Day trip to Liverpool, with Ferguson praising his fellow Scot for the dignity he has retained in the face of such unremitting criticism.

"I have not seen anything as bad as that," said Ferguson. "I feel for the lad. He seems to be in complete control of himself at press conferences and has not let events get to him. It is remarkable that under that kind of pressure he can retain his dignity the way he has done.

"I tried to phone him the other day but he is probably right to keep it off."

Ferguson has spoken often about the confrontational nature of today's society and how fans are quick to vent their frustrations these days. And this, he believes, is just another extreme example.

"It is terrible to watch that," he said. "It doesn't say a lot for our society nowadays when you see that kind of behaviour from fans. We are all emotional. We all like to see our team win. But for goodness sake, give the lad a break."