Sir Alex demands rapid recovery

Sir Alex Ferguson and his players have little choice but to pick themselves up after Saturday's 2-1 loss at Anfield. Wednesday’s Champions League Group E opener against Villarreal and Sunday’s visit to Chelsea mean United cannot afford to dwell on defeat.

The Reds are in the midst of a hugely significant week with two big four clashes and the start of United’s defence of the European crown. Losing to Liverpool was a bad start, but Sir Alex is looking for the right reaction at Old Trafford against Villarreal.

"You have to recover, that's the name of the game," said the Reds boss. "It's the Champions League and we are in a good group and I think we have a good chance of qualifying.”

As always, United’s initial target is winning home matches and taking at least a point on the road in the group stage.

"The way I look at the Champions League is to get to 10 points,” added the boss. "If you get that you know you have qualified and you can look forward to February when it really starts to kick in.”

Villarreal go into Wednesday's meeting in Manchester with a weekend win under their belts. Santi Cazorla's 27th-minute strike gave Chilean boss Manuel Pellegrini's side victory over Deportivo.

The win moves El Submarino Amarillo (The Yellow Submarine) up to sixth place in La Liga.