Keane: Can United rely on fear factor any more?

ROY KEANE has admitted Manchester United are in danger of losing the fear factor.

After a decade of challenging for the Premiership title right to the latter stages, the Old Trafford club surrendered their crown to Arsenal with over a month of last season's campaign remaining and have so far collected just five points from their opening four games this term.

A massive injury list, plus the on-going suspension of Rio Ferdinand are legitimate reasons for their current problems but, with Arsenal and Chelsea both riding high at the top boasting 100% records, anything other than victory at third-placed Bolton tomorrow would see United's chances being virtually written off.

"Look at Arsenal, and maybe Chelsea to a certain degree they seem to have that mentality where they don't look as though they are going to be beaten," Keane said.

"Teams playing us think they have got a chance now. I saw some of our fans talking on TV before the Norwich game and they were so apprehensive. Not long ago they would be saying 'We are playing Norwich, bring it on'.

"Things have changed a little bit, but that's fine it's a great challenge for the players."

After missing United's disappointing draws against Blackburn and Everton with a rib problem, Keane should return at the Reebok Stadium after coming through his Republic of Ireland World Cup comeback against Switzerland with no apparent reaction.

Gary Neville and Louis Saha should also recover from knocks received in midweek international action and it would be a major surprise if either was fit for this weekend.

Looking further ahead, both men must be regarded as major doubts for Wednesday's opening Champions League trip to Lyon, as is John O'Shea, who missed Ireland's game in Basel with a torn thigh muscle.

Ferguson could therefore be forced to give £6.9million Gabriel Heinze his debut at Bolton even though the Argentine has yet to meet most of his new team-mates.

Heinze's controversial first two months as a United player have seen him capture an Olympic gold medal, runners-up spot in Copa America and a crucial World Cup qualifying win in Peru last weekend.