Only a couple of weeks back, Sir Alex Ferguson commented that it would be difficult for Manchester United to win the Treble. Since that day, United have lost a couple of games -- one each in the Champions League and the Premiership.

The loss to Roma in Italy has put enormous pressure on the lads to come up with the goods at Old Trafford next week. And Saturday's loss to Portsmouth has loosened their once vice-like grip on the league title. The lead is now down to just three points and Chelsea are breathing down their necks.

The real question is, did Fergie's comments unnerve the players? In my opinion, the United boss was just playing down all the talk of a Treble that had been doing the rounds in the press for some time. Perhaps he wanted to take some pressure off the players. However, his team seem to have taken it the other way and an undesired injury to Nemanja Vidic has not helped their cause. The Serbian defender has been an absolute rock all season and been instrumental in United's quest for excellence.

Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown have struggled to build a partnership but I honestly feel they are two over-rated defenders. The earlier Fergie gets rid of them, the better. In the absence of Vidic, the back four have looked shaky and Ferdinand has not done justice to his expensive price-tag. To me, he is an average defender with flashes of brilliance once in a while. Brown, meanwhile, is an awful defender and injuries at crucial times have not helped his cause in settling down at Old Trafford.

If United do not win anything this season, which would be a major shock, it will be time to change the back four. Ferdinand and Brown have to go and be replaced with fresh talent, with Vidic assuming the role of a leader in the defence. He has a cool head on his young shoulders, though he is a bit over-reactive at times.

Sir Alex has a tough task on his hands. He needs to motivate his players at the last hurdle. It's that time of the year when legs are tired. The players need the final drive and Fergie sure knows how to get the best out of his lads. He is one helluva manager and has been doing this for donkey's years now.

Do you think Rio Ferdinand is over-rated? Sportingo welcomes your views on the Manchester United and England defender.