Ferguson says fighting spirit can help United retain title

Alex Ferguson says Manchester United’s famed refusal to give in is the reason he believes they will win the Premier League.

Turfed out of the Champions League by a Basle side that conceded seven to Bayern Munich on Tuesday night, beaten 6-1 at home by Manchester City and on the brink of a second early European exit in Bilbao tonight, in isolation those moments point towards a disastrous campaign.

Yet United’s current status is that of leaders and favourites to retain their domestic title, even though skipper Nemanja Vidic and Darren Fletcher have been absent since December and injuries seem to have blighted them at every turn.