Ferguson: United will be ready to reclaim title

ALEX FERGUSON has promised that Manchester United will be set for battle on day one of the new Premiership campaign.

Ferguson rallied his troops in Cardiff on Saturday following their shattering FA Cup final defeat by Arsenal, then waved goodbye for five weeks ahead of a June 27 return to training.

A combination of Arsenal and Chelsea, losing just a single game between them in the last two title-winning campaigns, plus the unwanted Champions League qualifier on August 10 has prompted Ferguson to call his squad back a fortnight earlier than usual.