Sir Alex Ferguson has told his young players the devastation of last season's Barclays Premier League title disappointment will be the making of them.
Danny Welbeck explained that on the way back from Sunderland, after missing out on the title thanks to Sergio Aguero's momentous injury-time winner, Ferguson took a walk on the team bus and spoke to the players.
"On the last day of the season, when we were travelling home from Sunderland he went round the coach, spoke to a few of the youngsters and said 'you will never forget this, this will win you titles. This will make you into men and be the best you can be'," Danny Welbeck said.
"When he says something like that, you take note of it."
The misery should provide additional motivation for the Red Devils, who begin their campaign at Everton on Monday night.
"I am a United fan. We lost it to our biggest rivals, so it did hurt that little bit more. It cut deep," Welbeck added. "It would be massive for us to win it back off them."
Robin van Persie's arrival has livened up the atmosphere around Old Trafford after three years of seeing all the marquee players join City.
Van Persie is expected to start on the bench, although he should be introduced at some stage.
Not that everything is rosy for Ferguson amid reports that Rio Ferdinand is set for an extended period on the sidelines after picking up a training ground injury.
With Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling also sidelined, Michael Carrick seems certain to partner skipper Nemanja Vidic in central defence.
Source: PA
