Villarreal held the double champions, Manchester United, to a
0-0 stalemate in the Champions League at Old Trafford last
night.
That result means United have won just once and scored only four
times in their opening five matches in all competitions.
And star striker recruit Dimitar Berbatov is sidelined after
picking up a knee injury against Liverpool at the weekend, with the
Red Devils facing a daunting trip to Stamford Bridge for Sunday‘s
titanic Premier League clash.
Yet Ferguson is upbeat, convinced it won’t be long before United
are regularly finding the net again.
“We will improve from now," he said. "We are a bit short but the
games will bring us on. It was the same last season. It wasn't
until we got a victory over Sunderland that we really got on the
road. We have a little bit to go yet. But once the sharpness of
play comes I am sure the goals will come as well."
Last night it was defender Jonny Evans who went closest for United,
hitting a post late on. But Cristiano Ronaldo's return from ankle
surgery sooner than expected lifted spirits at Old Trafford.
He got a rousing welcome back from the fans when he came on as a
substitute, which despite the summer circus involving Real Madrid,
didn’t surprise Ferguson.
"We expected Cristiano to get a great reception," said the United
boss. "Maybe he was a bit apprehensive but he shows great loyalty
and commitment every time he puts that jersey on."