Fergie: Roque strike started United slump

ALEX Ferguson has admitted Manchester United’s defensive resolve has collapsed since their amazing clean-sheet record was brought to an end by Blackburn.

The 10 goals United have conceded in their last four games is the same number it took 22 matches to let in prior to the Old Trafford hammering by Liverpool on March 14.

But Ferguson believes the actual malaise dates back a further three weeks, when Blackburn were distinctly unlucky to suffer a 2-1 defeat to the Red Devils, having outplayed the world club champions for long spells.

What Sam Allardyce’s side did manage to do was score, through Roque Santa Cruz. It robbed United of an in-built need to concentrate, and they have never recovered.

“We were doing very well when we weren’t conceding any goals because there was a record to defend,” recalled Ferguson.

“Once we lost that first goal against Blackburn, the battle to try to keep the record had gone. Since then we have lost really bad goals.”

Nemanja Vidic also admitted United need to rediscover their mental toughness if they are to avoid being dumped out of Europe by Porto next week.

The Serbian defender, a strong candidate for player of the season, believes injuries to key players and United’s on-going quest for five trophies may have knocked the Champions League holders out of their stride.

Vidic, whose central defensive partner Rio Ferdinand is likely still to be missing next week, said: “Now we have a hard job to do. No English team has won in Porto before so that’s a big challenge for us.

“If you look at the last four games then obviously we haven’t played as we did in the 10 games before that. We definitely need to get back on the right road, we need to get back that mentality.

“I don’t think it’s a case of players not having the confidence.

“But maybe we’ve had so many games and also we’ve had players injured — at this stage of the season you need all your players to be ready to play the games.

“We need to prepare as best we can, we need some players back from injuries and we can make it through.”

Vidic warned however that it could be a mistake for United to out with all guns blazing in Portugal.

“We can’t go there stupid and go into attack with all our guns,” he said. “We need to be clever.

“They have some good players, they have quick players up front and they are going to be waiting for our mistakes and ready to score one goal again. We need to be clever and hopefully we can go into the semis.”

Vidic also insisted United had not made the mistake of underrating their opponents.

He said: “When we watched the videos we saw definitely they have the quality. Even before the video I knew they were a good team.

“They have shown over the years that in Porto they never lose.

“It’s hard to win there. If you look at Arsenal and how they played them and against Chelsea and you see it’s a hard game against them.”

United midfielder Michael Carrick said the team should not be too downhearted by the result.

“We shouldn’t be too down, we are still involved and have a good chance of going through,” said Carrick.

“They are a tough side but we know what we have to do. We are confident that we can beat anyone on our day and we believe we will win, we will give it our best shot.

“They are a good team, I’m not saying that’s anything to worry about — that’s what you expect in the competition at this stage.