Fergie set his stall out with a simple 4-4-2 with Berbatov and an apparently fit enough Wayne Rooney leading the line. Giggs and Valencia were on either wing with Carrick and Scholes holding the middle. O’Shea continued at right back, with Evra on the left and the usual pairing of Vidic and Ferdinand making up a typical back four in front of Edwin van der Sar. It looked like we were there to attack.

But we didn’t. In fact, the lads didn’t do much of anything. The first half didn’t produce much either way and the ref was questionable to say the least in his decision making but as the teams left the field at half time, the atmosphere was hotting up and you expected something to happen after such a dull display.

Liverpool started the second half on the front foot and quickly the match began to play out just as the last one had ended. Nothing was changing. In seems unfair to single anyone out for criticism because everyone played so badly.

Carrick and Scholes were completely over run in the middle of the park and their passing was woeful. I don’t remember Carrick making a successful forward pass in the entire game and Scholes struggled to keep up with the pace at times.

John O’Shea was guilty of who knows how many dodgy passes, Vidic was sent off for the third time in as many games against the same opposition and Ferdinand was once again involved in poor defending which cost the team dear.

Up front, Rooney and Berbatov received little service and were both relatively quiet. Rooney was perhaps still feeling the effects of his recent injury but stayed on the pitch the full ninety minutes. I don’t know whether it’s his reputation going before him, but I was particularly disappointed with Berbatov. The Liverpool attackers were hardly ever standstill. In comparison, Berbatov seemed to be barely moving.

Liverpool took the lead when Yossi Benayoun sliced open the defence which was holding a very high line leaving Torres only Rio for company. As we saw in the City derby with Craig Bellamy, Rio just doesn’t have that turn of speed to keep up. After skipping away from Rio, Torres smashed the ball past helpless van der Sar.

Even at 1-0 there was little change in play and more concerning, no apparent changes from the bench either. Michael Owen was on the bench and was one man with a particular interest in doing well at his old stomping ground yet Fergie waited until the 74th minute before bringing him on for the anonymous Dimitar Berbatov.

The teams only other change also came with Owen as Nani took the field to replace Paul Scholes. Nani took over on the wing pushing Giggs inside, and created more opportunities in his fifteen minutes than Giggs had managed all game. Had the winger been given more time I wonder whether me may of taken one of those.

Owen almost had a chance but as he was through on goal, Jamie Carragher hauled him to the ground and escaped with a booking. Vidic got a red for something similar in a previous encounter but let’s not go into that.

Last man and already booked Vidic didn’t need much contact to bring down Dirk Kuyt which earned the Serbian his third red card in as many games against Liverpool and Mascherano, never one to beat, also got himself sent off deep into injury time for his second bookable offence as he arrived about 18 seconds late in a challenge on van der Sar.

With a central defender missing and the team desperate to score, it didn’t take long to get caught on the counter attack and when Torres’ replacement Ngog found himself one on one with the keeper, he clinically finished to round off a miserable day all round.

Goals breed confidence, and if Valencia is short of a little confidence, his latest performances in a United shirt will go some way to building it up.

Nemanja Vidic believes the daunting task of filling Cristiano Ronaldo’s boots has hindered Valencia’s progress but thinks the Ecuadorian has turned a corner and will be showcasing his talents more regularly in the future:

“At the beginning of the season, Antonio had some difficulties because he was bought to replace Cristiano Ronaldo” said Vidic.

“The media paid special attention and were watching his every move, and the pressure paralysed him a little. He is a real artist, gradually gaining confidence and playing better and better with each match. Scoring will help him even more.”

A sentiment echoed by Vidic’s defensive partner, Rio Ferdinand:

“I think everyone is very pleased with what Antonio has done,” said Rio.

“He’s a really humble and quiet lad. He comes in, does his work and goes home.

“He is from the Paul Scholes mould of embracing hype and attention but he’s the most confident guy on the football field and he’s been very impressive since he arrived.

“He is always available, always backing himself on the ball and doesn’t mind a bit of contact. He is a strong lad and that’s what you want.

“He’s playing very well and I’m sure he will keep improving and keep scoring goals.”

It isn’t just his teammates that are impressed with him. Alex Ferguson is also pleased with Valencia’s progress and hopes the winger will score plenty more before the season is out.

“Valencia has been a plus point for the last few weeks. He is emerging very well, settling into the club, and his confidence is getting stronger.

“He has tremendous assets for a wide player, but the assets he didn’t show at Wigan were his goals, where he would maybe only get three or four a season. This was his challenge when he signed for us. Two in two games will help him.”

Evans has made six appearances so far this season but is still behind both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in the pecking order. When both fit, it is difficult to not select the pair given their formidable partnership but Ferguson knows it won’t be long until Evans earns his place in the starting eleven.

“Sometimes I don’t know whether I am doing the right thing leaving Jonny out because his performance level has been so high,” said Ferguson.

“At times I have been unfair to him. But he is still young. He has a great future here and time will come when I have to put him in.

“The great thing about footballers and young players in particular is that one summer they come back and they are a different player. They have a different physique and they tell you by their performance that it is time for them to go into the team.”

At just 21 years old, Evans certainly has a bright future ahead of him and has already made 43 appearances for United in his short career and with Rio Ferdinand seemingly struggling with fitness this term, he looks sure to get his fair share of games this time around.

Evans himself is just happy to be involved for now and is concentrating on improving further.

“I did improve last season. You do have your ups and downs during the season but I got more confident in my own ability as the season went on. I was loving every game because you just want to be involved.”

United lost to Barcelona as they bid to win consecutive European titles but after a bright start, the team crumbled and were well beaten on the night.

“Having lost a Champions League final, I know what it feels like. It was sickening in Rome because we felt we were on the cusp of greatness, so to lose the way we did was really difficult,” said Ferdinand.

“The worst thing about it was that we didn’t even put up a fight.

“We never got going. If we had scored in the first 10 minutes, I think we’d have gone on to win the game, but Barcelona got the first goal and it stunned us. We never recovered after that and that was so disappointing.”

Like Vidic, Ferdinand is desperate to make amends and has set his sight on glory once again this term.

“You want to win it at all costs and as long as we’re winning, that’s all that matters.”

“Over the last three seasons, we’ve performed really well. We won the league three times, reached two Champions League finals so people expect a lot of us.

“If you sometimes don’t deliver the big one, then you get a bit of flak and you have to deal with that.”

Rio, who spent Wednesday night in hospital, looks likely to play tomorrow, however, Sir Alex will still be sweating over the fitness of Patrice Evra who picked up an injury against Boro.

If Evra does not play it seems likely that John O’Shea will play at left-back with either Gary Neville or Rafael Da Silva coming in at right-back

Arsenal receive a similar boost with the news that Robin Van Persie should also be fit for Tuesday’s big match.

Manchester United have two games in hand however and anything but a defeat tonight against Portsmouth will see the reigning champions regain top spot and tighten their grip on a third successive Premier League title.

Benitez has been adamant over recent weeks that Liverpool’s current form would be good enough to overhaul United’s advantage in the league. It was an easy band wagon to jump on with Liverpool seemingly finding their feet and United hitting the self destruct button.

The return of Rio Ferdinand looks to have steadied the ship and if United return to their defensive best, it’s going to almost impossible for anyone to overhaul them.

“United are in the driving seat and we will see what happens. ” Benitez said.

Ever the optimist, he added “If they win it will be more difficult but they have to win and they also have to play against Arsenal so we will see. It’s football, you never know.”

Kickz sessions at United are held on Thursday and Friday evenings at the Old Trafford Sports Barn. 38 other clubs are taking part nationwide so if United isn’t your local club, you can still get involved.

The club’s players are heavily involved and are regularly seen at the evening sessions. BBC Radio Five Live recently caught up with Rio Ferdinand at one of these sessions. Here’s what he had to say about the project.

“It’s an initiative where kids can come, especially in hours where there’s a lot of crime and a lot of negative stuff goes on, where the kids come in and do different activities. It’s a great facility.

“I wish when I was a kid there was something like this on offer, because it’s somewhere you can come and hone your skills as well as have an interest and do stuff other than loaf around and mess around on the streets.

“This is very very positive.”

The target age range for the project is 12—18 with hopes that the project members will go on to become project leaders in the future. The ones that don’t go on to be footballers that is. It’s a brilliant scheme and I hope it works.

If you’re interested in finding out more make sure you visit the Manchester United Foundation website or the Kickz homepage for further information.

Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans; between them they have appeared in all 44 of Manchester United’s fixtures this season. Such is their importance to the team, Fergie has utilised two of the three in all but four matches this campaign – and only one in the league.

In these four games, United shipped six goals but did win all four. If you count being on the subs bench those four games are actually two (conceded three).

It goes without saying that a trip to the San Siro without at least two of the three is the last thing Ferguson had planned faced with Inter Milan in the knock out phase of the Champions League. However, with Nemanja Vidic suspended following his red card in the Club World Cup final and Jonny Evans seemingly out of the tie with a recurrence of an old ankle injury, that is the exact situation Ferguson finds himself in. Rio Ferdinand is United’s only recognised central defender.

So how did United cope before? In the 3 – 1 victory at home to Middlesbrough, United put out a back four of O’Shea, Brown, Rafael and Vidic; in the 3 – 0 away win at Aalborg it was O’Shea, Vidic, Evra and Rafael; in the 5 – 3 win at home to Blackburn it was Neville, Rafael, O’Shea and Evans; and in the 4 – 2 win at home to Derby the back four was Neville, Rafael, O’Shea and Evans.

Normally, Fergie dips into his reserve of talent which contains the likes of Gary Neville, John O’Shea and Wes Brown. The only problem is they’re all injured themselves.

Ferguson said “I just hope we can get two centre-backs out for Tuesday because at this moment it’s very doubtful. Jon Evans is unlikely to be playing because when you look at him he’s very, very doubtful. I just hope we get John O’Shea available because we don’t have Vidic, we don’t have Gary Neville and we don’t have Wes Brown. We’re having a nightmare with defenders this season in terms of injuries and suspensions”.

Even James Chester has been loaned out so is unavailable for the clash. The youngster has made just 1 substitute appearance in the League Cup for the senior team so the occasion is probably too big for him anyway. Ferguson was tempted to play him in a Premier League match recently so we’ll never know for sure.

Ferguson is unable to play a back four which has played together once this season. United’s defensive woes are at their absolute worst and the worst possible time. I wonder if he’d rethink his comments recently: “We can cope with injuries now.” Really?

Who is available?

Certainties in the team (touch wood) will be Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Rafael will almost certainly play despite fears his inexperience would show in such a big game.

Richard Eckersley and Fabio da Silva are United’s only other recognised defenders in the Champions League squad and both play at left back. Between them they have accumulated just three cup appearances, and all from the bench. It is possible to utilise either of these and shift Evra into the centre but at just 5’8 that could pose a real weakness in United’s defence; both through the middle and down the left.

John O’Shea will undergo intensive treatment in order to decide on his fitness to play despite an ankle injury. If O’Shea is cleared to play, United might just get of jail but if he doesn’t, there’s no way Ferguson is going to rely on such inexperienced players in such an important game.

It is being speculated that Ferguson might play either Michael Carrick or Darren Fletcher in the central defensive role. Fletcher of course has filled in at right back a couple of times before and he can tackle but he is a slender chap and might not be able to cope with the physical threat of Inter.

Michael Carrick has been impressive this season in the defensive midfielder role; his tackling and defensive awareness in particular have been very good. He is 6’1 and although he isn’t the biggest guy, he’s definitely bigger than Fletcher.

If O’Shea doesn’t make it (I’m an optimist so I’m expecting him to), United’s best chance of keeping Inter at bay will be a back four of Ferdinand, Evra, Rafael and Carrick with Carrick partnering Rio in the middle. Whatever Ferguson goes for, it’s going to be a hard night in Milan tomorrow and I’m less confident than I was about my 0 – 0 prediction.

On second thoughts, Rooney’s back to fitness. I bet he’d do a great job – problem solved.

Rio Ferdinand was expected to play in Sundays three nil victory over Chelsea but the defender suffered a recurrence of a back problem and was swiftly sent for a scan. “Rio has been to a specialist and there are no major problems with his back, but he won’t be involved against Wigan” Ferguson said. “We think he should be back for the Tottenham cup tie (24/1), it’s just a matter of having a series of exercises to do regularly and that will hopefully help it.”

Patrice Evra will definitely miss the Tottenham game after Fergie ruled the left back out for three weeks minimum. Evra had only just returned to the United team after serving a four match ban for the incident which occurred after the match at Stamford Bridge when the clubs met last year.

Evra suffered ligament damage whilst crossing for United’s second and will miss United’s next 5 fixtures. “Evra will be out for three weeks minimum and maybe four. It shouldn’t be any more than that” said Ferguson which means if all goes well, Evra will be back in time to face Everton on 2nd February. “He just went over on his foot and has done the little ligament in his foot, so we need to get the swelling down and that will take about 7-10 days.”

Manchester United’s next five fixtures are Wigan (h), Bolton (a), Derby (h), Tottenham (h) and West Brom (a). Jonny Evans has been fantastic this season when called upon and John O’Shea is a more than capable replacement for Evra, albeit without the attacking flair. Thankfully, United should be able to cope quite comfortably and must be thinking they can win all of those matches.

Evra’s injury may also open the door for Fabio, Rafael’s twin brother, and if he’s anything like his brother, what a treat we could be in for!

Luckily for United, young centre back Jonny Evans has been in fine form and didn’t look out of place once as he and Nemanja Vidic kept Chelsea’s attacking men neatly in their pockets.

Rio Ferdinand was believed to be over his recent back injury but when the defender woke on Sunday morning he felt a recurrence and now Ferguson wants to get to the bottom of it once and for all.

“We are sending him for another scan because you want to get to the bottom of the problem”, said Ferguson.

The form of Evans means that even if Rio is out for another couple of matches, United should cope quite comfortably with games against Wigan, Bolton and Derby on the horizon. It does mean that poor old Nemanja Vidic will have to wait just a little longer before he gets a break. Vidic is United’s most used player this season clocking up 29 appearances already and the defender has started in United’s last eight matches.