LONDON, Aug 24: Ryan Giggs admits Manchester United must deliver an immediate response against Fulham on Saturday after opening their Premier League title challenge with a lacklustre 1-0 defeat at Everton.

While champions Manchester City underlined their determination to hold onto the title with a come-from-behind win over Southampton and Chelsea swept to the top of the table with wins over Wigan and Reading, Sir Alex Ferguson’s United are pointless thanks to their tepid display at Goodison Park.

“It wasn’t a nice feeling to lose the title last season — it never is, but it was the manner in which we lost it which was tough to take,” Giggs said. “I’m sure if we put that much effort in again and get that little bit of luck then we’ll go that extra step.”

If United do see off Fulham at Old Trafford, it will give City’s trip to Liverpool 24 hours later even greater significance.

Liverpool’s first home league game on Sunday, following an opening day 3-0 loss at West Bromwich Albion, will be a much sterner challenge against the might of City, albeit minus injured striker Sergio Aguero.

New manager Brendan Rodgers rested most of his big names for Thursday’s Europa League playoff first leg at Scotland’s Hearts and reckons Roberto Mancini’s City are in for a rough ride at Anfield.

“It’s something I’ve noticed in my short time here: the players are allergic to complacency. The focus every day, the concentration is very good,” Rodgers told a news conference.

Fixtures (1500GMT unless stated):

Saturday: Aston Villa v Everton, Chelsea v Newcastle (1630GMT), Man Utd v Fulham, Norwich v QPR, Southampton v Wigan, Sunderland v Reading, Swansea v West Ham (1145GMT), Tottenham v West Brom.Sunday: Liverpool v Man City, Stoke v Arsenal (1230GMT).—Agencies