There is still more to come - Fergie

There is still more to come - Fergie

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists there is more to come from his side as they continue to recover from a disappointing start to the season.

The defending Premier League champions suffered a shock loss at Burnley in August, but since they have been on a six-game winning run in all competitions ahead of Saturday's away match at Stoke.

Ferguson, though, believes there is still room for improvement and he expects his side to become stronger in October, which includes a trip to fierce rivals Liverpool.

The Scot, who was impressed by a 3-1 win over Tottenham at White Hart Lane earlier in September, is no longer worried by form and is only wrestling with team selection.

He said: "We had a bad start, there's no doubt about that, but the form of the team has been coming on well.

"Our best performance was at White Hart Lane. I'm happy with our form now. We have the squad and my only dilemma is who to play.

"Usually October sees us become more consistent and hopefully that will be the case again.

"The squad is a strong one and my only problem seems to be who to pick for each game."

Meanwhile, Ferguson is full of praise for Ryan Giggs as the 35-year-old continues to compete at the highest level.

"I don't know what more there is to say about him," added the United boss.

"It's not a matter of defying age with him because there has been no deterioration in his game at all and it's remarkable.

"It's down to how he has lived his life, how he has looked after himself and done the right things and his form is just as good as it was last year."

After sitting out Wednesday night's Carling Cup win over Wolves, Giggs could be called upon to face the robust test Stoke are bound to provide at the Britannia Stadium.

Ferguson felt United's Boxing Day success in the Potteries last term was one of the season's pivotal moments coming, as it did, just days after the Red Devils returned from their successful journey to Japan for the Club World Cup.

The champions have no such worries this time around as they make the short journey down the M6 but the United boss is still wary.

"Stoke are going to be a force," he said.

"They have a fantastic support. They say it is the noisiest in the country and I wouldn't disagree with that.

"Last season was about survival. It is not easy for anyone coming out of the Championship.

"But I saw a marked change there. There is good ambition, they have a good managerial structure and a good chairman.

"It is a club on the up."

Normally so cagey with his team selections, Ferguson has already confirmed Ben Foster will start in goal.

The England international has largely performed to an impressive level since beginning the season as first choice after Edwin van der Sar suffered the broken fingers that will keep him out for another three weeks.

Foster was poor in the derby though. He gifted City their first equaliser by allowing Carlos Tevez to rob him when he had initially been under no pressure, then he seemed to go down far too early and Craig Bellamy tapped home in the final minute of what seemed destined to be a draw until Owen struck.

But Ferguson is eager to display some faith in the former Stoke keeper and insists he never contemplated dropping him.

"Ben will play tomorrow," he said.

"I didn't have any doubts. He has not had a lot of game experience but he will be okay."