If any thing Manchester United have not filled the gap left by Ruud van Nistelrooy. Louis Saha was only a part answer to the problem of the missing target man, someone to lurk and sniff out chances and convert them.

United, unlike Chelsea, are not a team who grind 1-0 wins. I think the mantra of Sir Alex Ferguson is to score more goals than the other team. While the defensive duo of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic is more than stable, at the end of last season the defence was lacking. Playing in the Champions League it will be hard to create chances away from home. So you need someone who will just put the ball in the back of the net and do the job for you.

It now makes more sense why Fergie is after Dimitar Berbatov. He fits the target-man bill perfectly.

'However mediocre the defence and attack, the United midfield always held up'


Watching the derby, one could see the problem that comes with Carlos Tevez. He is like Wayne Rooney, likes to play a little deep and create space around the box whereas Rooney takes his chances from the edge and unleashes powerful shots.

One thing about United over the last decade; however mediocre the defence and attack, the midfield always held up. Last year Cristiano Ronaldo’s form clinched the title. His form, too, will return. Berbatov fits the bill perfectly, as would Nicolas Anelka, despite the baggage that comes with him.

Is the forward department overcrowded? After the injuries to Saha and Rooney it would make sense to sign a striker.