The stats showed that only Bolton, the club with the worst defensive record in the Premier League, have allowed their opponents more shots on target than Ferguson's side. The fact that only 12 of those 54 shots have led to goals is perhaps tribute to new goalkeeper David de Gea - Bolton have conceded 24 goals from 55 shots on target - but it is also a warning to United that such largesse cannot continue. "I can't deny the stats, because of the modern life we live in you can't dispute it," said Ferguson, adding only: "We are aware of it." It is not just in the Premier League that United's defence has been found lacking, their Champions League opponents have also scarcely been able to believe their good fortune. And although the visit of Romanian minnows Otelul Galati on Wednesday should provide few fears for United, who won comfortably 2-0 in the away tie, Ferguson's side need to be more resolute to mount a realistic challenge in Europe as well as on the domestic front. The 3-3 draw with Basle was a case in point, with the Swiss side's captain Marco Streller admitting he could not believe how easy it was to stroll through United's defence. Streller said: "I was really surprised at how many chances we got, as we were playing against one of the best teams in the world. "Manchester did not have their best day and we had a really good day and in the end Man U were lucky we didn't win there. Now we really believe we can qualify from this group." Ferguson has, unusually, castigated his players for being too adventurous, charging forward when they should be holding back. That is no doubt part of the problem, but the decision to drop Rio Ferdinand against Everton was probably more indicative of where Ferguson believes the real problem lies. Age and injuries, particularly a back problem that has plagued Ferdinand for a couple of years, look to have caught up with the man who has been the best centre-back in Britain for the last decade. Where once Ferdinand's pace and reading of the game complemented his languid and elegant style, now the 32-year-old - who turns 33 next month - too often looks creaky and slow. Ferguson has Phil Jones and Chris Smalling ready to take over, though Smalling too is going through some injury problems, but it would be a big call for the United manager to put his old thoroughbred out to grass. As Ferguson prepares to celebrate 25 years at the helm next month however, it is worth remembering that part of his enduring success is down to his readiness to make those tough decisions.
