United facing pivotal period

THE RALLYING cry came from the mouth of a babe, yet no matter whether Manchester United are successful in their quest for an unprecedented fourth successive title, Alex Ferguson has some big decisions looming.

Ten days ago, Ferguson accepted the week that lay ahead was season-defining. Now, as he assesses the wreckage, the United boss must pray he was wrong.

So crushing was the disappointment he felt after their Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich, Ferguson spoke of the unusual situation United faced in bouncing back from three straight defeats.