After failing to qualify for the Champions League knockout stage, Manchester United will look to bounce back when they host Wolverhampton.

Wolves travel to Old Trafford on Saturday with the unenviable task of tackling a United side reeling after only their third exit from Europe’s premier club competition in 17 years.

With their focus now firmly on the Premier League, United are due for a good performance after an unconvincing run of results.

Inconsistency has been a marker of their campaign to date – both in Europe and in the league. And although they sit second on the table, their Champions League exit in midweek after a 2-1 loss to Basel will have wide-ranging ramifications.

“Of course we’re disappointed,” Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said.

“You have to deal with the disappointment, and this club has used it as motivation many times. It’s a loss because it’s the best tournament in the world.”

To add to their woes, defender Nemanja Vidic suffered suspected medial ligament damage after twisting his knee in a challenge and is likely to miss at least the next few weeks.

Wayne Rooney will lead the attack in the absence of injured strikers Javier Hernandez, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen and it is goals United desperately need, having failed to score more than one in a game in over two months in the league.

Wolves will need a big game from playmaker Jamie O’Hara, who, for much of the season has looked their most dangerous attacking threat. He has two goals this campaign but is not shy to shoot, with 46 efforts on goal.

Wolves currently find themselves four points clear of the relegation zone after ending a two-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over struggling Sunderland.

Steven Fletcher will look to add to his five goals in the league after bagging a brace in the win over Sunderland.

The key for travelling Wolves will be an early goal to jangle the nerves of a Red Devils crowd that has been growing with unrest for some weeks.