Fergie backs Reds to bounce back

SIR Alex Ferguson is certain last season's Champions League final defeat will drive Manchester United to more success this term.

Despite landing three major honours, United have spent the summer looking back on a horrible night in Rome, where they were outplayed by Barcelona.

Ferguson has tended to skirt around the issue in his assessment of the campaign that lies ahead.

However, in the build–up to Sunday's Community Shield showdown with Chelsea at Wembley, the Red Devils chief revealed his belief that, just as triumphs bring greater determination, so the agony of losing such an important game can be used as a major motivational tool.

"Adversity is always an important factor in developing and improving," he said.

"I have always reacted well to adversity over the years and whenever we lose a match I tell my players that the next game is the important one – the match we have to focus on.”