United look for title tonic after European disappointment

MANCHESTER, England, May 4 (Reuters) Manchester United are looking to derby success against Manchester City and the prospect of clinching the Premier League title this weekend to help assuage their European disappointment.

United face their neighbours tomorrow knowing that victory at the City of Manchester Stadium coupled with anything less than three points for Chelsea at Arsenal on Sunday will give them their first championship since 2003.

Relaxing Chelsea's grip on the title would soften the blow of Wednesday's 5-3 aggregate defeat by AC Milan in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

''Some of the players have experienced it before, losing on European nights,'' United manager Alex Ferguson told reporters today. ''Historically in my time here we have had bad defeats and recovered very, very well.

''No-one likes to lose, particularly in the semi-final of a European tie, and the players know that in a derby game City will want to put one over us and try to prevent us winning the league. These are all things that make it a bigger incentive for us.'' United's defeat in Italy ended their hopes of repeating their 1999 treble but they do have a domestic double still to aim for.

''If we had qualified for the final in Athens it would have been a fantastic occasion for the football club so it's difficult to prioritise.

''When you have a league game you are desperate to win, when you have a European tie you are desperate to win and when you have an FA Cup tie you are desperate to win.

''It's the nature of the game and you hope at the end of the campaign you come out with some silverware. I have always said if you win one trophy you should be delighted.'' United face a City side lying in 13th place and apparently in disarray after a disappointing season. They are in the throes of a takeover and were further disrupted this week following the suspension of midfielder Joey Barton after a training ground fight with team mate Ousmane Dabo.

BAD RECORD However, United do not have a good record at City in recent seasons and Ferguson believes the Barton controversy will not be an issue for the home side.

''I don't think it will affect their players,'' Ferguson said.

''I think once the game starts it will be lost to them, whatever has happened during the week. Whoever is going to replace Barton will be delighted to play in a derby game.'' Victory for United and a further stumble from Chelsea would render next Wednesday's clash between the two at Stamford Bridge irrelevant to the title race.

But Ferguson does not want to rely on the result from Highbury.

''The best way for us to approach it is not to rely on anyone...We have think about winning our game tomorrow against City.

Ferguson finally gets the chance to freshen up his team tomorrow with Rio Ferdinand likely to return from injury and Patrice Evra available following suspension. Forwards Alan Smith and a fully fit Louis Saha could also figure.

Gary Neville remains sidelined with an ankle injury.

REUTERS TB HS1811