Should Manchester United be Worried?

Champions of Europe. Champions of England.

Last season even I, as a Liverpool fan, can comfortably say that Man Utd were the best team in England, and deserved the success they got.

Cristiano Ronaldo had the season of his life, and, with the partnership he formed with Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, United had the so called "Holy Trinity" up front.

In defence, again, they were superb. Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand formed a fantastic partnership that seemed nigh-on impossible to break down on occasions.

In midfield, the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes added class and experience to Michael Carrick, Nani and Owen Hargreave's quality.

In goal they had one of the best, and most reliable, goalkeepers in Europe.

Yet, so far this season, Manchester United look a mere shadow of the team they were last season. I know it is very early on in the season, and United "always get a bad start", but that shouldn't be an excuse.

If I was a United fan, I would be getting worried. One win from their five games so far this season is not a great return for the champions.

Not only are they not getting the results, but they aren't getting the performances either. Rooney is yet to hit top gear for club this season, Tevez has shown signs of his last season form, but without Ronaldo or Rooney's form to back him up, he can't have the same effect.

Ferdinand and Vidic have, at times, looked very shaky—especially against Liverpool, a game in which Edwin van der Sar also had a poor game. The midfield wasn't much better in that game either.

The introduction of Dimitar Berbatov looked to have an immediate effect, after he set up Carlos Tevez's goal against Liverpool after just three minutes, but from then on he was little more than a spectator.

Cristiano Ronaldo made his return tonight against Villarreal which, of course, is a boost. But I think it will take a good three or four weeks before he is anywhere near his best again.

So far this season they have lost to Zenit St. Petersburg in the European Super Cup, drawn with Newcastle in the league, beaten Portsmouth, lost to Liverpool, and tonight they drew with Villarreal.

That's five points from a possible twelve, and a cup final loss. A poor start for even a team with a reputation for being poor starters.

It really is something they need to address I think. If Chelsea manage to win against United on Saturday, then they will already be nine points clear of them. The way Chelsea are playing, it is hard to see them drop nine points, and United not drop any.

They may even be worried about Liverpool, who are winning the types of game they weren't last season, which ultimately cost them another shot at the title.

It may be too early to tell, but a loss to Chelsea this weekend and I think alarm bells will just start to jingle in the head of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Are you United fans worried or not? Or do you think it is still to early to tell?