Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean says the support of Sir Alex Ferguson when fans' protests were at their height was a huge boost to him.

Manchester United are at Rovers on Monday.

Kean said of Ferguson's backing: "During that period I spoke to him on the phone, I had a really good conversation with him, so I take my hat off to him for taking the time to pick the phone up.

"It means a lot because you know how busy these people are and the amount of strain on his time so I really appreciated that call."