Manchester United vs. Benfica: 5 Things Sir Alex Ferguson Needs To Address

Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Benfica last night, leaving their immediate Champions League future hanging in the balance.

United will now enter their final Group C game, away to Basel, knowing that defeat will see them miss out on the knockout stages of the competition.

It was another unconvincing European performance from Sir Alex Ferguson's team, who will have to do considerably better if they qualify to draw the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or Barcelona in the second round.

Here are five things the United manager needs to address.

Leadership

United might have the greatest club manager of them all in the dugout, but they lack a natural leader on the pitch at the moment.

Patrice Evra was captain last night, but I'm not sure he's the voice United need to drive them on and set the tone. At 2-2, United didn't seem to know whether to go for a winner or accept the draw. Such indecision could easily have cost them defeat.

Midfield Inspiration

I've been saying this since the start of the season. United lack a creative spark in the middle of the pitch, and there remains a Paul Scholes-shaped hole in Ferguson's squad.

Darren Fletcher scored a good goal last night, and Michael Carrick is a better player than United fans give him credit for, but neither adds that sprinkle of magic dust you need to unlock the best defences in Europe.

Ferguson has Tom Cleverley to return, but he's not that player either. Nor is Wayne Rooney, whom I maintain is still best used in a more advanced role.

Continuity in Defence

United have leaked five goals in three Champions League games at Old Trafford this season, and they're still to come up against one of the true European heavyweights.

Ferguson has been frustrated somewhat by injuries and suspensions, and in fairness he's been unable to use Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand together in any of United's five group games thus far.

The result has been a shifting central pairing. We've seen Phil Jones with Ferdinand, Ferdinand with Jonny Evans, Vidic with Chris Smalling, and Smalling with Evans. Little wonder United have looked less than assured defensively.

You can only assume he'll return to Ferdinand and Vidic against Basel, probably with Jones at right-back. From there, United desperately need some continuity if they are to move forward in the competition.

Wayne Rooney's Role

There's no question Wayne Rooney enhances United's midfield when stationed there, but is a deeper role really the best use of his talents? Or is Ferguson simply using his best player to address the most obvious flaw in his squad this season?

Either way, Ferguson needs to make a decision and stick to it. If Rooney's really a deep-lying midfielder (he's not), then that's where he should stay for the rest of the season. If his true worth is as a lone striker, or behind one, then let him roam there and find a midfield solution elsewhere.

Rooney can play anywhere, but a sense of positional identity is key to getting the very best out of players at the highest level.

January Transfer Activity

As stubborn as he is, there must surely be a part of Ferguson that knows he needs a player or two in January.

Specifically, United need a defensive midfielder and a creative one to allow Rooney back upfield. Ferguson won't move in the market unless he absolutely has to, but I'd argue he absolutely has to.