Provided he can spell Zalaegerszegi, another chapter of discontent may have to be added to Roy Keane's autobiography. Manchester United made the Hungarian champions look like more than just a good Scrabble score last night and they could pay the heaviest price imaginable.
Failing to reach the Champions League would cost England's most powerful club about £10m and goodness knows how much in terms of kudos. Yet it is a possibility that is now staring them in the face, having capped a turbulent few days by conceding a stoppage-time goal against the Hungarian champions, who are fighting their first-ever European campaign. There is still time to salvage the situation but the return leg of a qualifying tie they dare not lose will not be a night for those of a nervous disposition, not least the club's accountants.
Sir Alex Ferguson spoke of "shock and disappointment" and conceded it would be a "total disaster" if they failed to overturn the deficit at Old Trafford on Tuesday week. Keane, meanwhile, kept his observations within the dressing room, although his assertions in his forthcoming book that some of his colleagues were more interested in "Rolex watches, mansions and fast cars" than winning football matches were hardly answered positively.
Ferguson must also take much of the blame. His perseverance with Juan Sebastian Veron was based on impressive pre-season form, plus the manager's unerring belief that his midfielder can dispel the image of a talented player letting it all go to waste. Yet, confronted by industrious opponents on a pockmarked surface, and with wind swirling around this shabby old stadium, United were crying out for Nicky Butt or Paul Scholes to steady the midfield alongside Keane.