Source: SKY_Sports
Fergie bemoans defensive slump
Sir Alex Ferguson feels Manchester United's defence has collapsed since their clean sheet record came to an end against Blackburn.
United are a shadow of the side that set a 14-match clean sheet record earlier in the year, conceding 10 goals in their last four games alone.
Four of those came in the Old Trafford thrashing by Liverpool, a match United have failed to recover from.
However, despite conceding his side were rocked by such a drubbing, Ferguson feels the root of the problem dates back to February when United saw an end to their superb clean sheet run.
"We were doing well when we weren't conceding any goals because there was a record to defend," said Ferguson.
"Once we lost that first goal against Blackburn, the battle to try keep the record has gone. Since then we have lost really bad goals."
A combination of injuries and suspensions have left United with limited resources at the back in recent outings.
With Rio Ferdinand still sidelined and Nemanja Vidic missing out recently after his dismissal in the Liverpool game, the current league leaders have been forced into a number of unavoidable changes.
Although Vidic returned for the recent 2-2 draw with Porto, Ferguson feels the defensive unit has started to lose confidence.
"We are suffering," added Ferguson when reflecting on another leaky performance in the first leg of their Uefa Champions League tie.
"Park Ji-sung is the one player who never misses a beat in terms of his movement and endurance work in a game.
He conceded: "He has such a natural stamina. He was well off the pace last night and looked tired."
