'It's not as if we've gone backwards'

JOHN O'SHEA insists Manchester United are not going backwards even though the gap between the Red Devils and Chelsea appears to be widening by the game.

United entered the holiday period nine points adrift of Jose Mourinho's men and emerged from it 13 points behind following a relatively tame goalless draw at Highbury on Tuesday.

The result prompted Alex Ferguson effectively to admit United's title challenge is over already.