Fergie's tinkering and negative tactics may leave Manchester United potless

On the eve of Manchester United's Champions League semi-final second leg clash with Barcelona, Sir Alex Ferguson must be hoping that his side can rescue him from an incredibly sticky situation.

Prior to the Red Devils game with the Spanish giants at the Nou Camp, talk of the double was rife with the league title apparently sewn up and United tipped to crush the out-of-form Catalans.

But since last Wednesday, Sir Alex has got his tactics badly wrong on two occasions, making a previously unthinkable trophyless season look increasing possible.

In fairness to Fergie, United have always played defensively on their European travels. Against Roma they were out-passed and out-thought for much of the encounter but managed to score two away goals on the break.

In the Nou Camp United played the same way but, with Ronaldo in such lethal form, a more attacking approach could have netted the Mancunians a much-needed away goal, especially after that early penalty miss.

Fast-forward to Saturday and Ferguson faced his second mammoth test of the week against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues had not lost a home Premier League game for four years but a draw would have probably put the title firmly beyond their reach.

Looking ahead to tomorrow's clash with Barcelona, Ferguson left Paul Scholes and Patrice Evra out of the squad and started with both Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez on the bench, perhaps hoping to scrape a point without having to use the heavy artillery.

The team selection only served to hand the advantage to Chelsea, who controlled the game from start to finish to secure a comfortable 2-1 victory.

United can get back on track with a victory tomorrow but if Barcelona score the first goal it really could be squeaky bum time for the Reds.

And although they are still hot favourites to claim the Premier League for the second consecutive season any slip-up against West Ham, who they have failed to beat in three attempts, or Wigan and the title could be on its way back to the Bridge.

If they fail to scoop the double this season there can be no criticism of the officiating, no bemoaning injury trouble and no complaints about fixture congestion.

Sir Alex can blame no-one but himself.