Five issues Alex Ferguson should think about

The defence

Behind the scenes at Old Trafford they believe the problems have been blown out of proportion but 11 goals conceded in the first 11 games is not a title-winning ratio in the modern game. Jonny Evans and Wes Brown are capable deputies but the absence of a fit Rio Ferdinand will always be a major setback

The wingers

After an encouraging start to the season Nani has gone off the boil and is in danger of becoming the player the Old Trafford crowd dislikes the most. Antonio Valencia has generally done well but can also drift out of matches

Rooney and Berbatov

There were encouraging signs against Blackburn Rovers last weekend, particularly in the opening half, but the two strikers are still to form a great understanding, often taking up similar deep-lying positions

Goalkeeping back-up

Alex Ferguson recently described Edwin van der Sar as being equal to Peter Schmeichel as United’s best-ever goalkeeper but, behind him, the form of Ben Foster has been erratic and there are lingering doubts about Tomasz Kuszczak

Goals from midfield

United do not possess a Frank Lampard-type player who can score 20 times a season from midfield. Take away the strikers and Darren Fletcher is the leading scorer so far, with two goals. Ferguson has made the point that, after losing Cristiano Ronaldo, he needs players such as Anderson Nani and Valencia to reach double figures.