Boss Dealing With Injuries

Sir Alex admits injuries have unsettled United this season but accepts they are just part and parcel of the game.

The Reds have responded to the 6-1 defeat by City with five straight victories on the back of five clean sheets and yet have still faced some criticism for not playing the exciting football that was on show at the start of the campaign.

The boss knows exactly how to go about winning the Barclays Premier League and is happy with the way the champions are playing.

"I think we've made some changes to the team at the start of the season," he explained. "Tom Cleverley and Chris Smalling got injured and Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were injured in the first game. So there were quite a few changes you don't envisage.

"You see everyone fit and fresh in pre-season and, going through the tour of the States, there was not one injury and then you're hit with a whole host [of them]. It doesn't disrupt us to a great degree but it does unsettle the balance of the team at times.

"Sometimes we have to rethink which team we need to win a match and sometimes, when the team is in full flow, you don't need to worry about that. We've had a few issues but hopefully we're gradually getting over them and, once we get the players back in again, we'll be okay."

Sir Alex is satisifed with how his troops are performing as the Reds remain in second place in the table behind leaders City.

"I think the players addressed the situation well," he added. "The collective thing has been good and, at this stage of the season, what we try to do now is get through to the New Year and be near the top. Being at the top would be fine but if we're near to the top, it presents us with an opportunity.

"We never looked like losing the match at Swansea. We were always in control, which is good away from home in the Premier League. If you're controlling games, you're doing a good job."