bad starters

It has been well documented in the media that United are not looking strong at the back and in the 12 games this season, they have fallen behind 8 times, although we have recovered to win 6 of those 8 games it does make for at least excitement when watching United.

So what are the problems with the defence this season which hasn't been explored previous seasons. One of the biggest problems is the perennial loss of our skipper Vidic. It's no coincidence when he is in the team we look a lot stronger and more organised. The injuries he his picking up are a worry and the constant rumours of returning to Russia or playing in Spain don't make for future planning.

The full back situation is of concern to many. Arguably Rafael and Evra are the best attacking full backs I have witnessed as a United fan for over 35 years, but the defending at times can be some of the worst. having grown up with the dependable Arthur Albiston and Jimmy Nicholl and latterly Dennis Irwin and Gary Neville, the game at the tail end of last season against Everton highlighted the best and worst of our full backs. We were 4-2 up with 10 minutes remaining when Rafael put in a fantastic cross for Evra to meet it and smack the post. 5-2 up and it would be fair to say the league was ours, but Everton went up the field and exposed both full back berths within minutes and we were 4-4 and the league ultimately lost. A game where we had to win, we were winning but instead of shutting shop we got hopelessly exposed and dropped points and handed the initiative to City.

Also injuries to Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have hampered the team so much that Micheal Keane and Scott Wotton have been thrown into the centre half department. That leaves Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans to hold the fort. Jonny has been impressive so far this season, his distribution of the ball which was a weak part has improved and also weighing in with goals as well, Rio has played well but the main part of his game speed is slowly fading. Despite the communication issue with Sir Alex, Rio is still a integral part of the team but once Smalling and Jones are fit and active, I would expect Rio to drop out of the picture but his experience is still vital to the squad.

The goalkeeping department is of concern as we have no clear number one. The battle between Lindegaard and De Gea is intriguing. Both young goalkeepers with different attributes. Lindegaard is very commanding in the air, good shot stopper but very vocally quiet whereas De Gea is a fantastic shot saver and very agile but his commanding of the box is suspect. Every defence needs a good stopper. My younger days it was Gary Bailey who was a keeper not afraid to confirm the penalty area was his domain. We never really recovered from his early retirement and not until we found the great dane that we have had a keeper you can rely on. Van der Sar was the exception but his retirement has left another void. I do see De Gea as the heir to the United number one but rumblings of being unsettled is a worry and a unhappy player is not a situation you want in a specialist position.

Despite United's attacking prowess,the Achilles heel is the defence but once the full rota of defenders are back then we should begin to look good at the back and a few clean sheets will get the confidence back.

Some may argue the attacking players should help out by defending but a lot of early goals conceded are a indication that concentration is not at the maximum, that includes the whole team as a unit. 12 games into the season and we are tucked 2nd in the table, one foot into the knockout stage of the champions league and still in the league cup. There are reasons to be cheerful and once we get our full quota of defenders back we will be strong and I fully expect United to charge on and possibly go one step better than last season.