Ferguson expects title boost

MANCHESTER, England: Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United's success in winning the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan can propel the team towards retaining the English Premier League title.

The European champions added the global crown to their honors list by defeating Ecuador's Liga de Quito in Yokohama last Sunday, with Wayne Rooney netting the winning goal for Ferguson's side.

Having now returned to Old Trafford, however, United face a testing trip to Stoke City on Friday as they bid to close the seven-point gap on current league leaders Liverpool.