• CFR Cluj v Manchester United, Champions League

Evans: I need time to gel with Rio

Manchester United's defence has struggled this season © PA Photos

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Manchester United landed in Transylvania ahead of their Champions League clash with CFR Cluj with Sir Alex Ferguson ordering his side to start bearing their teeth.

United's spluttering opening to the new campaign caught up with them at Old Trafford on Saturday as for the fifth time in six Premier League outings, they fell behind.

But, against a speedy and durable Tottenham team, Ferguson's team left themselves too much to do and slipped to their second defeat of the campaign. Although he praised United's second-half performance, Ferguson was furious with what went on before the break.

It followed on from similar lacklustre displays earlier in the season, particularly at Southampton and Liverpool - and Ferguson has vowed it will not continue.

On Saturday, stand-in skipper Patrice Evra said he believed the problem might be mental. His manager does not think so. Instead, with so many key defenders, including Nemanja Vidic, injured, Ferguson is hoping the consistency of Rio Ferdinand's central defensive partnership with Jonny Evans will start to have a positive impact.

The observation was acknowledged as being correct by Evans, who has shrugged off the dead leg he picked up at the end of Saturday's game. "Every defender will tell you that when you have a settled partner you get a good understanding, and with a run of games your match fitness and concentration go up,'' said the Northern Ireland international.

Ferguson will expect to see signs of improvement on Tuesday as a meeting with the Romanian champions is evidently not going to be quite as straightforward as many imagined when the draw was made.

Back-to-back victories over Otelul Galati were the highlight of last season's dismal Champions League campaign. In contrast, Cluj have started in superb form, registering a superb win in Braga a fortnight ago, leaving them, like United, a victory away from taking a firm grip on the group.

"I don't think you can go away in the Champions League and get lucky if you score two goals and keep a clean sheet,'' Evans said.

While it is anticipated United's abysmal European form from 12 months ago will prove to be a temporary phenomenon, Ferguson has taken one significant step. Instead of flying out on the morning before an away game and training in the stadium, as allowed by UEFA, United remained at their Carrington base for their final session in a stated attempt to limit the chances of their plans leaking out.

"We made the decision last season,'' Ferguson said. "Most of the time when you go abroad and train on their pitch you can't do anything because everyone is watching. By training at our ground we could do what we wanted in terms of picking the team and anything tactical. It was much better.''

The absence of Michael Carrick had already been confirmed before departure. Like Carrick, Ryan Giggs also remained at home due to a virus, while 37-year-old Paul Scholes was rested having completed the full 90 minutes against Tottenham. It means Darren Fletcher and Tom Cleverley will compete for midfield slots along with Anderson, who Ferguson concedes was unfortunate to be overlooked at the weekend.

"Anderson has done nothing wrong,'' said Ferguson. "His pre-season form was terrific and he's a top player, but I still think that Scholes is a great player.''

Manchester United player to watch: Ferdinand's England career has apparently been written off by Gary Neville following his dire performance against Tottenham last weekend. He will be eager to prove he has a Manchester United future, ahead of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones returning from injury.

CFR Cluj player to watch: Brazilian midfielder Rafael Bastos scored twice as Cluj beat Braga 2-0 in their opening Champions League contest, and United will need to be wary of his penetrative runs and passing.

Betting: Expect United to nick it by the odd goal against a Cluj side lacking a top-quality striker. A scorecast of Cluj 0-1 United is offered at 6/1 with bet365.

Prediction: 0-1

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