Fergie hails United resilience

Sir Alex Ferguson has praised Manchester United's resilience for 'hanging in there' in the fight for the Premier League title. The reigning champions moved to the top of the table last weekend on the back of a 2-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion at the same time rivals Manchester City were losing at Swansea City. However, United's squad has been hit by the long-term absences of Nemanja Vidic and Darren Fletcher, while several players have also had various spells on the sidelines. In addition, the Red Devils were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League at the group phase, were beaten by Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup and lost to Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup. United are also now in danger of being eliminated from the Europa League as they head into Thursday's second leg against Athletic Bilbao trailing 3-2 following last week's meeting at Old Trafford. Ferguson is again missing players through injury for the game at San Mames, but the United boss has hailed the way his team keep going. Admirable "We have done really well to hang in there," said Ferguson. "That is more or less what we have done no matter what the team has been. "For instance, with (Phil) Jones and (Chris) Smalling not available that's a door slamming in the face again. "But we keep carrying on and it does point to a resilience in the team that is really admirable. "They have done exceptionally well. It's an achievement in the sense of they're still banging in there in the league. "Yes, there was the disappointment in the Champions League but we still can win this game and I think the players believe that."