Reds are at the ready

Ryan Giggs feels United are in the perfect position to kick on with the pursuit of another league title.

Eight wins from the last nine Barclays Premier League matches have drawn United level on points with leaders Manchester City, while the Reds' impressive form has also yielded a flood of goals to make a significant dent in City's goal-difference advantage.

Injuries may be continuing to mount for the Reds, but Giggs says they will not detract from the team's focus and he insists United's knowhow of dealing with pressure situations in the second half of the campaign will once again be key to the title challenge.

"The experience that the manager, the players and the coaching staff have of what's required in the second half of the season, as well as the overall hunger and desire to win competitions, will help us," Ryan told ManUtd.com.

"Big players can't wait for big games. Towards the end of the season the games just get bigger and bigger. For me personally, you want that in the run-in - you want to be involved in big games and going for the title. That's why you become a footballer."

The unexpected exits from the Champions League and Carling Cup have been obvious low points this term, but bar those disappointments, Giggs says everyone is reasonably satisfied with the way things have unfolded in the league.

"It's been a strong start from us," he added. "Obviously City have got off to a better start but we're pleased with where we are in the table and especially the form at the moment.

"We'll just look to kick on as we always do in the second half of the season and hopefully we'll have a bit more luck with injuries and have a strong run after Christmas."

After starting the season at a canter, the Champions League and Carling Cup failures coupled with the 6-1 league defeat to City brought a barrage of criticism. But Giggs maintains the constant scrutiny of the team's form is simply part of life at Old Trafford.

"You're always going to get criticism here. If you're not top of the league there's something wrong and if you get knocked out of competitions then we're always going to get criticised," he continued.

"That's something that you just have to get used to. You can't sulk or moan about it, you've just got to get on with it and play good football like we have been doing.

"We've had setbacks throughout the years and you learn from them and they can help in a way. I've experienced that throughout my career - you might hit bad form or you miss a good chance, and you can't wait for the next game so you can rectify it.

"I'm sure all the lads felt like that after the City game and after the Basel game, which was a big disappointment too. You're going to get setbacks but it's how you react to them and thankfully we've come back strong."