Stumbling Manchester United can146;t afford any more slip-ups

Troubled by strife off the pitch and a loss of momentum on it, English champions Manchester United are suddenly in danger of finishing a sea...

Troubled by strife off the pitch and a loss of momentum on it, English champions Manchester United are suddenly in danger of finishing a season empty-handed for the second time in three years.

Saturday8217;s FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford against Fulham, who will have no fear having won 3-1 there in the League earlier this season, marks the start of a run of three games in eight days that could make or break United8217;s campaign. On Tuesday, United host Porto in the return leg of their Champions League first knockout phase tie attempting to overturn a 2-1 defeat without captain Roy Keane, sent off in the first leg last week.

The following Sunday they cross town to face rivals Manchester City, by which time their deficit to premier league leaders Arsenal, who visit Blackburn Rovers the day before, could be a gaping 12 points. Winless in their last three matches, with Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy out of sorts and the suspensions of Keane and defenders Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand biting hard, United8217;s on-field problems are mounting.

The manager8217;s row over a racehorse with United shareholder John Magnier is also rumbling on in the background and after nearly two decades in charge, Ferguson8217;s proven ability to turn adversity to United8217;s advantage is set to be tested severely. By selling crowd favourite David Beckham for 40 million to Real Madrid before the season started, Ferguson made a potential rod for his own back. Judging by some of the emailed comments on United8217;s own website this week, the patience of their fans is already wearing thin.

8220;We8217;ve missed Beckham massively8221;, 8220;Where is the killer instinct?8221;, 8220;United are playing the worst football I8217;ve seen in years8221;, 8220;What a joke? Absolutely pathetic!8221; were some of the comments posted following the 1-1 draw at Fulham on Saturday.