Manchester United Need to Score More Goals or They Will Have Big Problems

I have this strange feeling that Manchester United's poor form in front of goal will dama­ge their chances of a third consecutive League title. Every single year for the past four years we have had a goal difference second to none.

Despite creating several chances, United needed a 69th minute goal from Dimitar Berbatov to squeeze past rel­egation-threatened Middlesborough at Old Trafford and claim their fourth 1-0 win in five League matches.

It's sad to say but players like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo continue to worry both me and Fergie. Even Berbatov has struggled since his big-money move from Spurs.

Lean Spell: Ronaldo Contemplates His Latest Miss against Middlesbrough

Ferguson said, "If we can’t take our chances, we will suffer for it. We missed a lot of chances and that is a big worry. But Berbatov is a marvelous player, and he was absolutely superb for us against Boro. He took his goal very well."

Sir Alex said about four weeks ago that if United can be within two points of the top of the table come New Year's then they will be in with a chance of winning their third consecutive title. Currently we are seven points adrift of the Bindippers but with two games in hand.

He added, "We are in a good position at the turn of the year. We have two games in hand, both of which are at home, and it is going to be a great run in. The important thing for us is to look after ourselves and do our own job, and we will be OK."

That's How It's Done: Berbatov Nets Winner against Middlesbrough

Emmanuel Pogatetz, whom I class as an animal and a cheating slimy git, grabbed Ronaldo by the neck and wrestled him to the ground. Nothing surprising really, considering his past record.

Ferguson added, "It seems Pogatetz grabbed him by the neck. It happens all the time. There is jostling and jersey-pulling. Defenders are getting away with murder."

Pogatetz was already an unpopular figure at Old Trafford for a dreadful tackle on United youngster Rodrigo Pos­sebon in a Carling Cup tie earlier in the campaign, but Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate said, "I heard a lot of noise and there was some finger-point­ing—but that’s all. The referee Martin Atkinson seemed comfortable with it. When teams are marking from corners there is always a bit of contact."

Typical Southgate nonsense. If it was one of his players and Rooney had grabbed his neck the whole footballing world would be up in arms. Because it is against Cristiano Ronaldo, it seems to be fine to act like this.

Wide of the Mark: Rooney's Goals Have Dried Up

But back to my original point after this rant. If the goals don't start flowing soon, I fear a problem come April or May. United in the past have always held the advantage with this, and it is worth an extra point on the run-in.

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