"Life is tough at the top and United's defenders have got to
step up soon. A whole season's work could go down the pan in
the next three weeks if they don't tighten up.
"You can't go on hoping to score one more goal than you
concede in every match - eventually you'll get caught out
and there are big games on the horizon that United simply
can't afford to lose. The defence is missing Rio Ferdinand
and too much has been asked of Wes Brown too soon.
"United will work their way through what has happened in the
last few games, but it has certainly cost them valuable
ground in the title race. Five points is a really big gap to
close on an Arsenal team that is playing really well.
"Arsenal haven't lost in the league this season and are
bound to have a sticky patch at some stage. But the question
is whether United will be close enough to take advantage
when Arsenal do hit trouble."