Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says their consecutive defeats has helped everyone to refocus.

"We have had quite a hum-drum time in terms of going to Japan (for the Club World Cup), catching up the leaders and then listening to all the nonsense about how good we are," he reflected.

"I have tried to dampen things down and dismiss all the talk about five trophies. Then the job is done by Fulham's result."

He continued: "It is very appropriate to talk about the Grand National tomorrow.

"You go round those 30 fences and you might hit one or a horse might fall in front of you.

"Our challenge is about obstacles too. You might draw or (suffer) a defeat. You might play badly sometimes and win or play great and not score. That is because it is the toughest league in the world.

"The facts is we are a point clear. It doesn't matter how we got there, it is a great position to be in. What we have to do now is prove we can trust these players and they can trust each other.

"They can look round the dressing room and say, 'I am glad I have got these guys in my team'.

"With that kind of ability and the experience we have of run-ins, I expect them to kick on. That is what we intend to do."