Fergie headache

Another problem area has been goalkeeping. Sir Alex took a gamble with the American Howard; it hasn't paid off. He has been forced to turn to Roy Carroll, who, like Howard, is no Peter Schmeichel.

END OF A MIDFIELD ERA

Pre-season, it appeared Ferguson was assembling quite a team. A fine back four and plenty of attacking options would be supported by a midfield of vast experience and quality: Keane, Scholes, Ryan Giggs. These were the 'winners' who would groom the next generation of United superstars.

But Keane is not the driving force he once was and Giggs and Scholes seem to have entered the period of decline that calls time on the career of every footballer. Scholes retired from international football in the hope of reigniting his club career but it hasn't worked. Giggs, for so long the finest left winger in Europe, is suffering too.

A midfield who were once the envy of English football have lost their spark. The teenager Ronaldo is often the only source of inspiration.

TEAM SELECTION

When key players are not performing selection can become difficult. Ferguson has admitted struggling to identify his strongest side.

Deploying Alan Smith on the right then moving Ronaldo to the left would solve the Giggs situation and leave Ferguson with less of a headache when it comes to picking two strikers. Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy have to be the most potent partnership.

ROONEY

George Best, always good for a quote, was on the radio yesterday condemning the teenage sensation for failing to deliver consistently. For the best part of £30m, argued Best, you should expect more. Best is probably asking too much from a 19-year-old. Rooney delivered consistently enough for England in Portugal last summer, but not for Everton last season.

Since his sensational start against Fenerbahce in the Champions League, he has struggled to recapture his Euro 2004 form. In the absence of the suspended Van Nistelrooy, United could have used him at his predatory best against City. Instead, Ferguson started him on the bench.

DISCIPLINE

Injuries are bad enough, but when key players like Van Nistelrooy miss three games because of unnecessary challenges, it hardly helps. The Dutchman stamped on Ashley Cole and received the ban he deserved. For United's failure to score last weekend, he carries much of the blame. Now fellow striker Smith has got himself banned too. Ferguson must have looked on in disbelief.