By the end of February we will know if it has been successful.
United will have then completed their other two games in hand — against Fulham and Wigan — and the table will take on its right and proper look.
Only then will Liverpool know if their numerous dropped points at home will be costly.
Only then will United know if their exertions in the European Super Cup and Club World Cup have proved unwanted.In their last six league games they have won four 1-0 and drawn the other two 0-0. They are doing enough to win all those games by much, much more.
Last night, but for the superb goalkeeping of Ross Turnbull, it could have been a cricket score rather than a football one, with Dimitar Berbatov getting the only goal.
But their failure to take the chances is causing Ferguson great concern.
The same goes against Inter Milan over two games in February in the Champions League.
The lack of goals was probably why even in victory the boss had a face, not quite like thunder, but certainly rumbling.
It is not as if the attacking talent is not there with Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov.Tevez was in Argentina last night having been given time off due to family problems.The more gifted Berbatov would probably have returned anyway and he struck the winning goal.But it was only his second in 15 Premier League games. Rooney has four in 16 and Tevez two in 14.
United fans might make fun of big-spending Manchester City’s plight at the moment but their star man Robinho has 11 league goals, more than United’s three put together.
Ronaldo is leading the way for the Reds with eight league goals and 10 in all.
United’s front men need to start matching their build-up play. They attacked in waves last night. In the fifth minute a Berbatov touch opened things up for Michael Carrick to play square but Rooney’s shot was saved by Turnbull.
Ronaldo picked up the loose ball and tried a shot from a seemingly impossible angle but Turnbull was forced to save again. The tone was set for the half.
Winger Ronaldo had a few goes with free-kicks as Boro could only stop him by foul means.
He was involved in a flare-up with Emmanuel Pogatetz as the players disappeared down the tunnel. It started when he was hauled to the ground in the area off the ball by the defender.
Perhaps his own failure to score was part of his frustration. Ron has scored in just two of his last six league games.
When he was more than 20 yards away over a free-kick Boro decided against a wall to give the keeper a clear view. And twice Turnbull was well prepared for late swerve on the shots.
The Boro stopper was having as many touches as anyone on the pitch but when he flapped at one cross, Rafael steamed in and blasted into the side netting.
Rooney’s pace and power was causing the visitors all sorts of problems but he appeared to take the wrong option when put through by Carrick on 35 minutes.
With the chance to fire from an angle, an expectant crowd gasped as Rooney instead pulled the ball back and the opportunity went.
He did not make that mistake again and hit a blistering first-time shot from Ronaldo’s flick that Turnbull turned away.
United dominated possession in the second-half and the pressure finally told on 68 minutes.
The ball was fed through Berbatov and Park Ji Sung to Carrick. His was blocked but the ball returned to him.
The midfielder crossed to the edge of the six- yard box where David Wheater totally messed up his clearance and Berbatov volleyed in.
It should have been two four minutes later but Park stuck in his claim for miss of the season as he put Gary Neville’s low cross over the bar from four yards.
Ferguson sat head in hands. You sense he will be kept awake tonight thinking about missed chances like that rather than Berbatov’s strike.
The lack of goals was probably why even in victory the boss had a face, not quite like thunder, but certainly rumbling.
It is not as if the attacking talent is not there with Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov.Tevez was in Argentina last night having been given time off due to family problems.The more gifted Berbatov would probably have returned anyway and he struck the winning goal.But it was only his second in 15 Premier League games. Rooney has four in 16 and Tevez two in 14.
United fans might make fun of big-spending Manchester City’s plight at the moment but their star man Robinho has 11 league goals, more than United’s three put together.
Ronaldo is leading the way for the Reds with eight league goals and 10 in all.
United’s front men need to start matching their build-up play. They attacked in waves last night. In the fifth minute a Berbatov touch opened things up for Michael Carrick to play square but Rooney’s shot was saved by Turnbull.
Ronaldo picked up the loose ball and tried a shot from a seemingly impossible angle but Turnbull was forced to save again. The tone was set for the half.
Winger Ronaldo had a few goes with free-kicks as Boro could only stop him by foul means.
He was involved in a flare-up with Emmanuel Pogatetz as the players disappeared down the tunnel. It started when he was hauled to the ground in the area off the ball by the defender.
Perhaps his own failure to score was part of his frustration. Ron has scored in just two of his last six league games.
When he was more than 20 yards away over a free-kick Boro decided against a wall to give the keeper a clear view. And twice Turnbull was well prepared for late swerve on the shots.
The Boro stopper was having as many touches as anyone on the pitch but when he flapped at one cross, Rafael steamed in and blasted into the side netting.
Rooney’s pace and power was causing the visitors all sorts of problems but he appeared to take the wrong option when put through by Carrick on 35 minutes.
With the chance to fire from an angle, an expectant crowd gasped as Rooney instead pulled the ball back and the opportunity went.
He did not make that mistake again and hit a blistering first-time shot from Ronaldo’s flick that Turnbull turned away.
United dominated possession in the second-half and the pressure finally told on 68 minutes.
The ball was fed through Berbatov and Park Ji Sung to Carrick. His was blocked but the ball returned to him.
The midfielder crossed to the edge of the six- yard box where David Wheater totally messed up his clearance and Berbatov volleyed in.
It should have been two four minutes later but Park stuck in his claim for miss of the season as he put Gary Neville’s low cross over the bar from four yards.
Ferguson sat head in hands. You sense he will be kept awake tonight thinking about missed chances like that rather than Berbatov’s strike.
