Ferguson wants good start for a change

Alex Ferguson is optimistic the euphoria of yesterday’s Community Shield victory against 10-man Arsenal will be maintained to ensure his team’s title defence gets off to a flying start.

Manchester United, who lost David Beckham this summer but gained yesterday’s hero Tim Howard, were tied 1-1 with the Gunners after 90 minutes and won 4-3 in the penalty shoot-out at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.