Ferguson 'desperate for revenge'

Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon has warned that Sir Alex Ferguson is desperate for revenge after failing to win a trophy last season.

Kenyon said: "He loves to answer people, to prove the critics wrong. He has done that every time the people have doubted him. There's no doubt Alex was disappointed at what happened last season - we all were.

"It hurt all of us and only adds to the determination to put that right by winning things this season.

"There were all sorts of issues behind it but if you look at Alex, as I have done in the last week or so, you can see straight away that the hunger is still there.

"Alex has been thinking all summer about getting back with the squad and strengthening the defence and he is confident the quality is there to redress the balance from last year. When you see the headlines talking about an 'Old Trafford crisis' it rallies people around and ensures they give their best."

Former United defender Ronny Johnsen is training with Aston Villa in the hope of convincing Graham Taylor to offer him a contract. The Norwegian international has attracted interest across Europe since leaving Old Trafford in the summer, but wants to stay in the Premiership.

Johnsen said: "Villa are an interesting club and I know many of their players, but I don't count on anything. I take it as it comes, but obviously something can happen."