Sir Alex Ferguson has tipped his Manchester United side to bounce back from their derby day humiliation and be back on course for the second half of the season.
United were thrashed 6-1 by rivals City on Sunday prompting thoughts that the Red Devil’s title challenge was in serious jeopardy despite the season being just nine games old.
However the 69-year-old, who has been in charge at Old Trafford for almost 25 years, is confident his young side will get back on track in the new year as they battle to regain their Premier League crown.
The Scot said: “You have to recover. The history of Manchester United is ‘another day’ and we will recover.
“We’ll come back. By January we’ll be OK. We usually get the show on the road in the second half of the season and that will have to be the case.
“We will react, no question about that.”
One thing that is concerning Ferguson is that the title could be decided by goal difference saying: “It’s the manner of the defeat.
“Goal difference may count. Last year it was in our favour, most years it is in our favour…this time, maybe not.”
City’s six goals on Sunday sending their tally soaring to 33 with conceding just seven so far this season putting Roberto Mancini’s side on a plus 26 goal difference with United lagging being on plus 14.