Are United In Crisis?

Four points dropped, three strikers out and Ronaldo suspended. Things look pretty bleak, don't they?

Of course, from some point of view, we are indeed in crisis. We do not have enough strikers, we lost our two best players for some time and it seems we can't score goals to save our lives. Already four points behind Chelsea with a Manchester derby coming up.

But I would point out that this crisis is not as deep as many imagine. First, Carlos Tevez is here and put it a good performance against Portsmouth.

Secondly, we'll still have Anderson and probably soon Saha and that might ease the problems. The ridiculous thing is that had we put away our chances, now we'd talk about our perfect start. Pompey were outclassed until their equaliser and Reading were battered, hanging on by their fingernails for the entire game.

So the problems are not grave. It's not that we are playing badly or suffer from lack of imagination or defensive fragility. It's just that we can't kill off our opponents if we have them at our mercy - but it can change. We were ruthless last season and hopefully we'll rediscover it.

We must beat City, we can agree in that and after that two home games are coming up. Spurs and Sunderland must not take off any points and if we can gain nine points from the next three games, then we'll be alright. If not... we'll discuss it then.

Anyway, I'm off to a holiday therefore you'll get your editor back on Tuesday. In the meantime, keep the faith and don't forget: you still support the Champions so no need to panic. Especially if we put Sven and his men firmly back to their place.

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