PRESS BOX VIEW – INDEPENDENT

‘The Manchester United hierarchy had confidently predicted their ignominious Champions' League exit would inspire the remarkable run that would salvage their season with the title. What transpired yesterday, however, was a performance beset by anxiety and betrayed by a lack of trust, in the words of Sir Alex Ferguson, and a draw with Everton that has allowed Chelsea to increase the gap between the clubs to 12 points by the second weekend in December.

In their first outing since defeat in Lisbon ended all interest in Europe, United delivered a performance that was worthy of the false promises. Tension consumed Old Trafford as early as the seventh minute yesterday when James McFadden beat Edwin van der Sar at his near post, and though Ryan Giggs converted an exquisite equaliser nine minutes later there was little in the home display to suggest the frustration of their Champions' League campaign has been channelled into a relentless pursuit of the title.

Ferguson only expanded on the pressures of his position in his programme notes, in which he appealed for patience but admitted that the club's transitional period was still far from a satisfactory conclusion. " People talk about the club coming under pressure and inevitably the media seek at moments like this to make it personal but that's not a problem for me. It was ever thus because there is always great demand and expectation at this club, Facing disappointments and setbacks is part and parcel of being manager at Old Trafford. That's a key element of my job and I shall simply get on with the rebuilding work that must be undertaken in the present transitional stage."’