Despite some neat passing moves and a few close chances, Unitedlacked the cutting edge to break down Chelsea on Sunday. 

The game itself was a largely disappointing affair, settled byJohn Terry’s header after the home side were awarded a controversial free-kick. 

Chelsea have opened up a five-point lead at the top of thetable. Arsenal, meanwhile, sit above United on goal difference, have agame-in-hand and appear to be firing on all cylinders at the moment. 

United don't appear to be yet playing to their full potential -and Sir Alex will know that his team need a positive run of form after theinternational break to stop pundits predicting the demise of his set-up at OldTrafford. 

The Reds have bagged 23 goals this season - fewer than Chelsea,Arsenal and Liverpool, and the same as Spurs, and you can expect the press tohighlight the absence of Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo once again ifUnited don’t bounce back domestically after the World Cup qualificationplay-offs. 

In truth, fans shouldn’t be too worried. United are still third,have qualified knock-out stages of the European Cup and are into the last eightof the League Cup. However, expectation levels are ridiculously high afteryears of sustained success. 

United return to action on November 21st with a home clash againstrivals Everton. Besiktas then visit Old Trafford, before United travel to Portsmouth before hosting Spurs in the LeagueCup. It promises to be a crucial few weeks in the club’s season - with trips toWest Ham, Wolfsburg, Hull andFulham, plus home clashes with Aston Villa, Wolves and Wigan allto follow in December.