Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs is delighted with how his side have reacted to disappointments this season after climbing level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
The Red Devils were hammered earlier in the season by their local rivals 6-1 at Old Trafford and were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages by a 2-1 defeat to Basel.
However, the current champions have since embarked on a streak of eight wins from their last nine games, and have cut Roberto Mancini’s side’s lead at the top of the league to just goal difference.
Giggs told the club’s official website: “You are going to get setbacks. It’s about how you react to them.
“Thankfully we’ve come back strong. They can help in a way. I’ve experienced that throughout my career – you might hit bad form or miss a good chance, and you can’t wait for the next game so you can rectify it.
“I’m sure all the lads felt like that after the City game and after Basle, which was a big disappointment too.”
The Welshman also admitted the criticism levelled at the Red Devils was fair following their early season slump in form.
“You’re always going to get criticism here. If you’re not top of the league there’s something wrong and if you get knocked out of competitions you’re always going to get criticised,” he continued.
“That’s something you just have to get used to. You can’t sulk or moan about it.”
Giggs also insists United’s vast experience of competing for trophies can only put them in good stead going into the second half of the season.
“The experience that the manager, the players and the coaching staff have of what’s required in the second half of the season, as well as the overall hunger and desire to win competitions will help us.
“Big players can’t wait for big games and towards the end of the season the games just get bigger and bigger.
“You want that in the run-in – you want to be involved in big games and going for the title. That’s why you become a footballer.”
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