Manchester United will bounce back from their Champions League exit and their poor form in the English premier league to finish the season on a high, David Beckham says.

"It's a tough time for United at the moment," the former United midfielder, now at Real Madrid, told a news conference on Monday.

"But I've worked with those players for so many years that I've got no doubt they'll come back from any defeat they're involved in."

United were knocked out of the Champions League last week after a last-minute 3-2 aggregate defeat against Porto and then saw their hopes of challenging Arsenal for the league title all-but disappear when they were beaten 4-1 by arch-rivals Manchester City on Sunday.

"Manchester United as a club and a team have come back from a lot of things especially in the years I was playing there," said Beckham.

"People are bound to say that it is the end of a cycle because of the way some of the games have gone this season, but I'd never bet against Manchester United coming back from anything."

RECENT PERFORMANCES

The England captain said that despite criticism of his recent performances from some sections of the Spanish media he was satisfied with his own form and was looking forward to the opportunity to win his first major trophy with Real when they meet Real Zaragoza in the final of the King's Cup on Wednesday.

"I've felt a lot better in the last couple of games," he said. "I started the season well but I dipped in form a little after a few injuries and a few suspensions, but I'm okay now.

"It would mean a lot to win a first Spanish Cup and the final will be special for me... I am hoping that we can win the game and gain another trophy for Real Madrid.

Beckham said that last Thursday's bomb attacks in the city had cast a shadow over the side's preparations for the Cup, but added that he had been touched by the response of the Spanish people.

"I think when things like that happen they bring countries and peoples together whatever nationality they are. I'm English and living in Spain, but still feel the way the Spanish people are coming together. It shows the strength of the country and the strength of the people in Spain.

"It's a tough time for everyone in Spain at the moment, but hopefully they will come through this and come out stronger."