Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to his Manchester United players for bouncing back from last season's Premier League title woe.

The Red Devils lost their grip on the trophy to rivals Manchester City in the dying minutes of the campaign last year, courtesy of a winning strike from Sergio Aguero in City's final league match against Queens Park Rangers.

This season it has been a different story as United are on course to take the title back due to their 15-point lead over their rivals in the table.

"The way we lost it resonates with a lot of people in the club, but the only thing you can do after that kind of thing is do better," the Daily Star quotes Ferguson as saying.

"That's what the players did, they focused, their team spirit was terrific, there was a definite purpose in terms of getting the title back.

"They've achieved a lot this season. I think it sticks in your mind. But the important thing is the ability to recover and I think they've shown that – a great ability."

United can stretch their lead to 18 points with a win in tonight's Manchester derby.