Soccer-Ferguson calls on United fans to wake up

LONDON, Sep 15 (Reuters) Manager Alex Ferguson has accused half of Manchester United's fans of being asleep when they turn up for weekend matches at Old Trafford.

Ferguson's frustration follows a rousing atmosphere for their 3-2 midweek win over Celtic in the Champions League. It also precedes Sunday's high-profile home game with old foes Arsenal.

''I keep saying I wished every team could bring 6,000 fans with them like Celtic because it does create a competitive element between the fans,'' Ferguson was quoted as saying on the club's Web site today.

''It created a far better atmosphere and our fans are better because of it. I think back to some of the great Wednesday nights -- electric. We need that more often.

''Some weekends they come here to be entranced, to see magic.

Half of them are sleeping, waiting to be entertained.

''But we need their spirit to ignite the team at times. It should not always been the other way around. A fan can stir his team.'' It was not the first time United fans have come in for criticism.

In 2000, former captain Roy Keane famously caricatured those in the corporate seats who ''have a few drinks and some prawn sandwiches and don't realise what is going on out on the pitch.'' REUTERS DH VC1832