Ferdinard struggled to cope with title loss

Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand has admitted to suffering sleepless nights after rivals City won the Premier League title.

City snatched the title from United’s grasp in the last minute on the final day of the season, as Sergio Aguero’s injury-time strike against QPR ensured that Roberto Mancini’s side finished on top by goal difference.

The narrow margin of their rivals’ title win and the dramatic conclusion to the title race is something that the 33-year-old will never forget, and the England international plans to use the pain of last season as inspiration to bring the title back to Old Trafford.

“At first it was one of those things you couldn’t get out of your mind,” he told MUTV.

“For the first couple of weeks you’re waking up in the middle of the night thinking about what happened and how it could have ended differently.

“You don’t get over it but you put it to the back of your mind for the few weeks after that.

“It’s hard, though, because you’ve always got people reminding you about it, whether it’s fans of different teams or fans of United.

“But you use that as inspiration for the following season.”

After being the left out of the Euro 2012 squad, the defender is happy to be back in pre-season training and is excited for the Red Devils’ pre-season tour.

“It’s nice to be back training,” Ferdinand said.

“I’m enjoying it. This has been the longest break I’ve ever had in my career so I was desperate to get back and see the lads and get training.

“That said, me and (Ryan0 Giggsy were talking the other day about pre-season and how we remember, when we first started, how it used to be sickening when you came in for the first 10 days or so. The coaches used to beat the life out of your legs.

“Now things are a lot more scientific and a bit easier on the body, even though you’re still able to get to the same level of fitness at the right time.

“But it’s the games on tour I really enjoy. You get to gauge how far along you are in terms of fitness and what more you need to do.

“It also helps you get your eye back in, football-wise. We can’t wait for the games to come now.”