Manchester United striker Michael Owen blasted Blackburn Rovers fans for barracking manager Steve Kean throughout last night's defeat to Bolton Wanderers. Owen described the abuse as "football hate".

He tweeted: "He may or may not be good enough but regardless, nobody deserves the abuse he is getting. He is probably a nice fella, no doubt twice as decent as the so called fans abusing him. I would love Blackburn to get something out of the game to see his and the fans' reaction.

"If somebody shouts abuse in the street like they do in a football stadium they would get locked up. Why does paying £30 entitle you to hurl abuse at people?"