• Premier League

Ferguson baffled by United's defensive woes

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he does not have the answers to fix the defensive frailties currently affecting his Manchester United side.

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Ferguson watched on as United found themselves behind for the eight time in 12 games this campaign in Tuesday's Champions League match with Braga. Ferguson's blushes were spared however thanks to goals from Jonny Evans and a double from striker Javier Hernandez which earned a hard fought 3-2 win.

The victory almost guarantees a passage into the knockout phases of the competition and with United set to face English heavyweights, Chelsea, Arsenal and Braga again in a fortnight, Ferguson knows he must find a solution to plug the hole in his defence soon, before it costs the side dearly.

"I can't get to the bottom of it I am afraid," he said. "If you analyse the goals we are losing, they have come from throw-ins, crosses, cut-backs, all sorts, and they are finding players free in the box. It is difficult to put your finger on it, and it is a concern because it is making it difficult for us."

Ferguson took the option of resting Rio Ferdinand, with Michael Carrick providing a makeshift replacement in central defence, and it was Carrick who was caught out at numerous times in the match.

"We have to look at the big picture - Rio, his age and a big game against Chelsea on Sunday," he said. "Then we play Chelsea again in midweek [in the Capital One Cup] and Arsenal again on the Saturday.

"We have a massive programme and it is important to utilise the squad we have. We have got injuries and putting Michael Carrick back there is not the best but we had to do it."

Ferguson was full of praise for two goal hero, Hernandez, with Ferguson saying the Mexican's performance was testament to the hard work he has put in off the pitch.

"The boy is improving all the time," Ferguson said."His goal ratio is fantastic and the way he bent his run for the second goal was terrific. "He is a fantastic trainer and he has given me a problem, which is good."

Ferguson will be sweating on the fitness of Shinji Kagawa after the midfielder hurt his knee during the first half of last night's thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Braga.

"Kagawa twisted his knee," Ferguson said. "He struggled on for 20 minutes but we will assess in in the morning because we don't know the extent of it at the moment."

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