Brown's injury blow for Ferguson

If Wednesday was a bad day for Manchester United, yesterday was not much better.

In the wake of their 1-0 defeat to Zalaegerszeg in the Champions' League qualifiers, it was confirmed last night that Wes Brown has broken his ankle, leaving Sir Alex Ferguson in urgent need of entering the transfer market. To make matters worse, Alf Inge Haaland also appeared to be reconsidering his decision not to sue Roy Keane.

Brown was sent for X-rays yesterday that revealed that he has a fracture, which means he is likely to be out until around mid-November It is a devastating blow for the player, who had been given the chance to replace another injury victim, Gary Neville, in the United right-back role.

Brown missed the entire 1999-2000 campaign after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in pre-season. He now joins Neville, Rio Ferdinand and goalkeeper Fabien Barthez on the injured list at Old Trafford.

Ferguson immediately sought out United's chief executive, Peter Kenyon for discussions about replacements for his injury-hit defence, depsite Kenyon's recent pronouncement that the club's summer spending was over.

United have been linked with the Rennes defender Julien Escude – valued at £5m – who is refusing to train with his team-mates in an attempt to force the Breton club's hand on a move to Old Trafford. "I told them I wanted to go," Escude said. "I'm not going to change my decision."

Haaland, meanwhile, who said on Wednesday that he was not contemplating legal action against Keane – who has admitted to intentionally fouling him in a Manchester derby – indicated that in fact nothing had been decided yet. "I won't comment on this," he said.