London, Dec 31 : Manchester United defender Patrice Evra believes the team is learning from the mistakes it committed last season, when they lost the Premier League title race on goal difference to local rivals Manchester City.

On this day last year, the Red Devils were somehow beaten 3-2 at Old Trafford by an out-of-sorts Blackburn team destined for the drop, the Sun reports. However, there have been no such slip-ups between Christmas and New Year this time around, meaning United boss Alex Ferguson celebrates his 71st birthday today with a seven-point lead, the paper said.

On Tuesday, however, provides another chance to put Evra's theory to the test as United make the short journey to face Wigan, it added. Everyone in the red half of town still shudders at the memory of April 11, when they lost 1-0 to Roberto Martinez's men and let Manchester City back into the title race, the paper further reported.

Heading in to 2013, there is a determination around Old Trafford to win a 20th title in May and knock City off their perch in the process, it concluded. (ANI)