Euro exit has fired us up, admit United stars

THERE is a growing belief at Manchester United that the crushing blow of an early Champions League exit has provided the impetus for a sustained assault on the Premier League title rather than kill the campaign.

Even manager Alex Ferguson has struggled to find a convincing explanation for how United have managed to combine their current run of eight wins in nine league games with bowing out of Europe’s number one competition at the group stage, being hammered at home by Manchester City and dumped out of the Carling Cup by Crystal Palace.

While few are convinced by Ferguson’s continued assertion that his midfield is strong enough to cope with every demand, given their current form maybe there is something in the Scot’s equally vehement claim the present United trophy contenders have quality in abundance.