Support for Wes

Wes Brown has come under fire since his return to the Manchester United line-up in place of the suspended Rio Ferdinand.

United have conceded five goals in the last two games but coach Mike Phelan believes pundits have been too quick to condemn the injury-prone England international.

iIt is a testament to Wes's determination that he has even managed to get back on to a football pitch,' he said. 'It is early stages for Wes and he is still picking up the pieces.'

Brown will be alongside Mikael Silvestre at the heart of United's rearguard at Old Trafford tonight when they look to maintain the pressure on leaders Arsenal at the expense of Middlesbrough. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is available for the first time since September after recovering from knee surgery.