Keane fury at Black Cats' basic errors

After starting the season with a win over Tottenham the Black Cats have lost their last three games without scoring a goal - 3-0 to Wigan, 2-0 against Liverpool and then a woeful 3-0 defeat to first division Luton in the Carling Cup.

Call for reinforcements: 'The squad needs strengthening and we need a bit more physical presence,' said Keane

Facing champions Manchester United away from home was always going to be a huge test for last year's Coca-Cola Championship winners, but now Keane, who has been in charge for exactly a year, really looks to have his work cut out.

And the mood in the camp can hardly have helped by the news that captain Dean Whitehead could be out for more than six months with a cruciate knee ligament injury that the club initially hoped might mean only a four-week lay-off.

Keane told Sunderland's official website www.safc.com: "It looks as though Deano will need surgery in a couple of weeks.

"It's a bitter blow - we are missing his leadership qualities and his presence."

That was evident at Luton, the side they hammered 5-0 on the last day of last season as they clinched the title and Kevin Blackwell's men went down.

"We didn't do the basics right and we got punished for it," commented Keane. "If you don't do the basics you're never going to win a game of football.

"You've got to pass and move, you've got to defend properly and you've got to be physically strong.

"I'll analyse it, but I know we're short in certain areas and we're looking to improve, but I thought the players we had here were good enough to win the game and I take full responsibility for it.

"Last year everyone was celebrating, but I knew we had a massive job ahead and that has not changed. We're all in it together - when you start pointing fingers they usually start pointing back at you.

"Everybody was saying I was the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I never believed that for a second.

"The squad needs strengthening and we need a bit more physical presence. We've a tough game on Saturday and it's just a case of making sure we get the right team."

A £2.5million bid for Stoke defender Danny Higginbotham has already been accepted and Sunderland have also been given permission to talk to Kenwyne Jones, the Southampton striker who last week went on strike.

While Keane plans for his return to United, Blackwell would love nothing more than to end Leeds's unbeaten start to the League One season.

Blackwell was, of course, sacked by the Yorkshire club 11 months ago and said last night: "I have my feelings about Ken Bates, but I keep them to myself."

Star of the win over Sunderland was one of the men Blackwell has brought in since joining Luton, two-goal Paul Furlong.

The former Chelsea man is 38 in October, but Blackwell described the striker as "inspirational" and added: "I've never come across a player more focused. He is getting the rich rewards of looking after himself - he's in fantastic shape."