Just as a chink of light appears at the end of the tunnel regarding the incredible casualty list in defence, potential darkness descends on the striker's department.
The Reds have been flirting with danger up front ever since the summer when they lost Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez and were unable to replace them sufficiently.
Obviously, much has been made of losing Ronaldo to Real Madrid. Having to do without his contribution goal-wise and the inspiration he brought was very clear. But the departure of Tevez to City is now looking a big loss for United.
It is understandable that fans have turned on the Argentine for defecting to Eastlands and I have to admit that I thought it was the correct decision not to stump up £25m-plus on him.
Impact
He endeared himself to fans because of his application but his goal return at Old Trafford wasn't great. Now he's hit a run at City and you have to look a bit enviously at that and the impact he is now having across the road. United could do with a bit of that sparkle.
The news that Dimitar Berbatov might need surgery on his knee injury is worrying because we've only got Wayne Rooney who is doing anything up front.
Berbatov lacks the work-rate Tevez gave United. I have continued to support the Bulgarian because there are very few players with his talent when he is on song.
I just hope that the injury he seems to have been carrying is the full reason why his form hasn't been great and he has been a huge frustration.
Sir Alex Ferguson seemed happy enough at the start of the season that the three seniors would be well supplemented by the teenagers Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda. But neither of them has really progressed as you might have expected.
Let's just hope Rooney stays fit!
Source: Manchester Evening News
Source: M.E.N.