Charlton says United will bounce back

Manchester United great Sir Bobby Charlton has tipped the team to overcome their first Premier League defeat of the season at the hands of Wolves.

United lost 2-1 to a relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Saturday, but they remain four points clear at the top of the table.

And Charlton has backed United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to guide the team to more success this season.

“We tried everything but we couldn’t win,” said Charlton, who is a director at the club.

“It wasn’t a great performance which is obvious and Wolves have been dogged in trying to keep alive their Premiership hopes so good luck to them.”

“Alex our manager is a genius so I hope by the end of the season everything will be put right ? we weren’t really pleased with what happened (on Saturday) but that’s football.”

Speaking ahead of the Laureus Sports Awards in Abu Dhabi, Charlton – an ambassador for England’s unsuccessful 2018 FIFA World Cup bid – was asked for his opinions on the decision to award Qatar the rights to stage the 2022 edition.

“This is very, very sensitive for me, I was part of the bid for England and we may have been disappointed at some of the results that came out of it,” he said.

“Every country has the right – I understand that – but it’s really difficult to take it into harsh weather conditions ? it would be unbelievably difficult.”

“People were surprised ? I think that neutrals were surprised that it went to Qatar but Sepp Blatter is a powerful man and his company have powerful people and they decided it so we have to abide by that.”

“I can’t say that I’m very happy about it.”

Fellow United servant Gary Neville retired last week and has been tipped by some for a career in the media.

Charlton wishes the long-serving full-back success in his next venture, but hopes he may follow in his own footsteps by remaining behind the scenes at Old Trafford.

“He’s very forthright in everything that he says. He thinks carefully about it and I think that Gary Neville ? there will be a future always in the game for him,” Charlton said.

“Personally, I hope it’s at Manchester United but, if he decided to go somewhere else, fine.”

“But it’s always nice to see someone come to the end of a career that’s been successful and it seems to me ? that it’s been well received by the press.”