21.   By December, United had plunged to six league defeats, and Ferguson appeared to have all but given up hope of retaining the title.

22.   But they could not convert neat approach work into further goals as they crashed to their seventh league defeat in eight games.

23.   Caretaker boss Thompson insisted his team will bounce back after suffering their third league defeat of the campaign last Sunday.

24.   Ferguson was delighted to see his side bounce back in style after suffering six league defeats this season.

25.   The reigning Premiership champions are languishing in fifth position following six league defeats and are nine points behind leaders Liverpool.

26.   The two-time World Cup winning centre was hurt during the league defeat at Sale on Friday and is set to be out for six weeks.

27.   Their third league defeat of the season came via a goal from substitute Dietmar Hirsch just four minutes from the end.

28.   They then defended manfully in the second half before inflicting Leeds first home league defeat of the season.

29.   Milan fared even worse in the night match in Rome, with Pierluigi Casiraghi engineering their second consecutive league defeat.

30.   Paris St Germain are favourites for the French Cup final on Saturday in spite of their worst league defeat in five years last week.