UNITED are second in the Premier League and have made a 100 per cent start in the Champions League - yet still there is a sense that the title holders are not firing on all cylinders.

Without the spark of Cristiano Ronaldo and the tenacity of Carlos Tevez, among fans and critics alike there is a sense that the Reds are collectively out-of-sorts.

Impressive victories against Wigan and Spurs have been balanced by a fortuitous defeat of Arsenal, an ultimately triumphant derby that was fraught with problems, and an uncomfortable Champions League success against Wolfsburg that was followed at the weekend by a poor effort against Sunderland.

It is not uncommon for United to have such an up and down start. Twelve months ago they were in fifth place and the year before could barely score yet they went on to finish both campaigns as worthy champions.

But are the problems this autumn more than just United's annual cold start?

Here M.E.N. Sport analyses the Reds' departments.

GOALKEEPER

The bedrock of United's glorious 90s era was Peter Schmeichel. The foundation of the success during the past three years has been Edwin Van der Sar.

In between, was a period of uncertainty in the goalkeeping department.

The filling in the sandwich between the Danish and Dutch greats was a mix of tasty bites and unpalatable mouthfuls.

This season has seen a return of the ingredients that caused Sir Alex Ferguson and United fans so much indigestion between 1999 and 2006.

While Van der Sar has been recovering from a finger injury sustained in pre-season, Ben Foster has been handed the chance to prove he will be a worthy successor to the Dutch master. The England World Cup wannabe, however, has suffered something of a calamitous introduction to his first lengthy run in United's goal.

Foster is a hugely likeable guy and, essentially, a very good keeper but appears to be suffering in the spotlight at times.

There have been Van der Sar moments but too many echoes of Massimo Taibi. Fergie has nailed his colours to the Foster mast while the Dutch veteran has been absent, though Tomasz Kuszczak did get a surprise outing against Wolfsburg.

But the United boss will be encouraged that Van der Sar could be fit for the Old Trafford clash against Bolton a week on Saturday.

He will also be comforted that the near 39-year-old has said his retirement plans, initially thought to be at the end of the season, are not set in stone.

The Reds have a dossier on potential new keeper recruits, as in all departments, and there is every chance bidding for those targets might become serious in January.

DEFENCE

RIO Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have been rightly lauded as one of the best central defensive partnerships in Europe over the last three years.

The Reds have had that first choice unit together on four occasions this season - against Spurs, City, Stoke and Wolfsburg. Thigh and groin injuries for the Englishman and a calf problem for the Serb has broken up the pairing and in searching for 100 per cent fitness both have had an uneasy time.

Ferdinand had a dodgy early return in the opening minutes at Spurs and was poor by his high standards in the derby.

Vidic, meanwhile, hasn't looked his commanding self recently against the big guys of Wolfsburg and Sunderland.

Jonny Evans has done a manful job standing in and must now be seeing real windows of opportunity in what has been a solid and trusted area.

A run of games could see the Ferdinand-Vidic axis restore its customary meanness. But it is a concern that the foundation of last season's success should be looking so uncomfortable and vulnerable.

MIDFIELD

The department where Fergie has an abundance of numbers and which causes the most debate as he mixes and matches his middle men.

It's not as if the forums or pub debates would come up with a definitive answer as to United's best midfield quartet.

But ask who might add something extra to the department and you'd almost certainly have the names of Owen Hargreaves and Franck Ribery flooding in.

At least the former is on the Reds' books and could be back next month after his nightmare 12 months out with a serious knee injury.

Of those who have occupied the midfield this term there can be little argument that the sensational Ryan Giggs, maestro Paul Scholes and key hub Darren Fletcher have been the outstanding performers.

Everyone else has to search their conscience.

It has been a quiet introduction for Antonio Valencia. Some moments of great promise but the £17m recruit from Wigan has yet to really take a game by the scruff of the neck.

Meanwhile, Nani continues to frustrate the Old Trafford crowd with his abundant skill but precious little end product, while Anderson, Ji-sung Park, Darron Gibson and Michael Carrick have barely registered on the radar so far.

For all the numbers in there, the majority of Reds fans are waiting for the return of the man who has had two major knee operations in the last 12 months.

ATTACK

Once Karim Benzema snubbed United for Real Madrid, there wasn't really a top young striker available who Sir Alex Ferguson was prepared to risk money on.

It did leave United's spearhead, once proudly boasting four top-notch hitmen, somewhat light on numbers.

Even the free transfer addition of Michael Owen has so far been a stop-start affair.

A goal against Wigan and his sensational derby winner against City suggested Owen could prove to be another Fergie masterstroke signing. However, his recent groin problem has tempered that excitement.

Wayne Rooney's goals have dwindled after a blistering start while Dimitar Berbatov is slowly beginning to add more names to his fan club.

But the back-up is young and, at present, lightweight. Danny Welbeck played against Wolfsburg on the wing while last season's brief smash-hit, Federico Macheda, has had just a single Carling Cup run-out.

However, there has been speculation that perhaps some of last season's adulation has gone to the Italian's head.

What isn't in doubt is that Fergie was unhappy that the teenage pair were away more on international duty than getting a bread and butter grounding at Old Trafford this season.

Though there are five names in the attacking frame, it is very much the Rooney-Berbatov axis that is being asked to bear the brunt of the responsibility.

What is your assessment of the squad? Have your say.