MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United will be spurred on by the disappointments of last season when they finished without a trophy for the first time in four years, says Manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The English Premier League side came third in the title race, were knocked out of the Champions League in the semifinal and lost to Middlesbrough in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

But the Scotsman is convinced the bitter memories of last year will drive his team on to success this time around.

Ferguson, who has led United to seven league titles, told the ****Daily Mail**** newspaper: "I'm really looking forward to the start of the new season. The disappointment of last year will have a positive effect and give us the fighting spirit that is synonymous with Manchester United and the players we have here.

"What we have achieved in the last 11 years is phenomenal and I want to emulate that.

"Finishing third last season was the first time in 10 years that we have finished outside the top two. "This alone will give the lads the drive they need."

One player who will not be part of Ferguson's squad is defender Denis Irwin, who is still looking for a new club after being released by United last May.

The 36-year-old says time is short if he is to find a new team before the English season kicks off on August 17, said Reuters.

He told the ****Daily Mail****: "If I'm going to join a team I would rather be in it from the start, so hopefully something will come up in the next week. "The transfer marker is beginning to roll a bit now and we are seeing one or two players moving so hopefully that will set the ball rolling."