Skipper Jonny Howson was quick to draw on the positives after going from one end of the emotional scale to the other at Ipswich on Saturday.

Having come from behind twice to cap a sterling performance with a point the previous weekend at West Ham, the boot was on the other foot at Ipswich on Saturday when the hosts stole a late winner to take all three points at Portman Road.

"It was hard to take," said the captain. "I suppose that's the ups and downs of football.

"The West Ham game took us to one level of excitement and Saturday at Ipswich was hugely disappointing. If you look at it, maybe there was certain things we could have done better, but we had 10 men, some tired bodies, and their winner was a deflection. It's about how you deal with it.

"In the first half we were very good. We did the simple things right and caused them problems. We did create chances and if we'd have taken them we would have won, but you look at the game and there's plenty of ifs and buts, but it doesn't change anything.

"Even if you look at their goals they were from outside of the box so it wasn't as though we gifted them chances. Even at 10 men we were hard to beat and everyone is so disappointed, but there were a lot of positives."

With an international break now looming this weekend, United must wait until Saturday September 10 to return to league action when Crystal Palace are the visitors to Elland Road.

"Whenever you get beat, whatever the manner, whether you deserve it or not, you want the next game to come along," added Jonny.

"Saturday took a couple of days to get over, but maybe we shouldn't be too disappointed."