United take tough road to top

THEIR total number of outstanding performances this season can be counted on two fingers, their defence is struggling and their front six are not what they were yet still Alex Ferguson’s team sit at the top of the Premier League this morning.

The growing equality in the division has been seen as a reason why Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool keep frittering points but even though there is an absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and clean sheets, seven wins from nine is an impressive return.

The opening weeks of the season have led many to come to the conclusion that in every area of their team, United have depth or quality, but not both.