Have United lost ability to frighten their opponents?

THESE are difficult times for Manchester United.

Sunderland became the latest club to demonstrate that the fear factor surrounding Alex Ferguson’s team no longer circulates around the dressing rooms of the Premier League’s lesser lights.

There was a time when a visit from United was the signal for opposition teams to pack their defence, soak up the pressure and accept the inevitable late winner from one of Fergie’s array of fine finishers. No longer.