Keane encouraged by United’s change of fortune

WHISPER it quietly around Stamford Bridge and Highbury but the men from Old Trafford might just be on the march again.

Written off completely after last month’s defeat at Portsmouth, Manchester United have since won five games out of six - the exception a 0-0 home derby draw with City. They have also rediscovered their scoring touch and seen key members of the squad, notably Paul Scholes, return to something like top form.

Crucially, they have also confirmed their presence in the knock-out stages of the Champions League with a game to spare, offering Ferguson the option of allowing some of his players to forego the draining eight-hour round trip to Turkey for the final Group D encounter with Fenerbahce on December 8.