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Premier League

Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes believes they will get stronger as the season progresses.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side are aiming to bounce back against Blackburn on Saturday, after losing to bitter rivals Liverpool last weekend.

Until the Anfield encounter, United were unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions - and Scholes wants to go on another winning run.

"I would not say we have been stuttering, but we have not been as fluent as we know we can be," he told United Review.

"There has been the odd performance - like Tottenham away - where everything has come together, but I think the best is ahead of us.

"We are not too worried about our form, because traditionally we are not great at the start of the season.

"The difference this time is that, more often than not, we've still been winning games - so I cannot complain too much.

"But we would like to get back to the top of the league - with style.

"Some teams might settle for getting results, but here at United we aim a little higher."

United boss Ferguson is confident they can cope without key defenders - because Edwin van der Sar is back between the posts.

Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are struggling to face Blackburn, because of calf injuries, while Gary Neville is suspended.

Ferguson, however, is relaxed about the situation.

He said: "We had exactly the same thing last year. We had a lot of injuries to the back four time and time again. Yet we went 14 games without losing a goal.

"I think the key is having Van der Sar back. He is a marvellous, fantastic goalkeeper.

"It is incredible to think that at 39 years of age he has retained his fitness and motivation to play all the time.

"It's brilliant and does make a difference, because he helps to settle things down."

Meanwhile, Ferguson is pleased with the progress of midfielder Owen Hargreaves - who is recovering from tendinitis in his knees.

Ferguson said: "He is doing fine and coming along. I think in a couple of weeks he should be back or near to coming back.

"It is difficult to assess when a player has been out for a year with that type of injury.

"We are not pushing him. We are doing it nice and calmly in terms of football work."