Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is confident they can cope without key defenders because Edwin van der Sar is back between the posts. Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are struggling to face Blackburn Rovers later today at Old Trafford as they have calf injuries while Gary Neville is suspended. Ferguson, however, is relaxed about the situation.

He said: "We had exactly the same thing last year. We had a lot of injuries to the back four time and time again. Yet we went 14 games without losing a goal.

"I think the key is having Van der Sar back. He is a marvellous, fantastic goalkeeper. It is incredible to think that at 39 years of age he has retained his fitness and motivation to play all the time. It's brilliant and does make a difference as he helps to settle things down."

After losing to Liverpool, United find themselves trailing Chelsea at the top of the table. But Ferguson believes a true picture of the league will not emerge until the new year.

He said: "I think you are seeing early season syndromes. Teams lose points at this stage. When you get to the second half of the season it will be the same ones battling it out, I am sure.

"Things do not settle down until we get into the Christmas period and then the run-in," said Ferguson. "If you are in that ball park position and challenging at the turn of the year, you have a big chance.

"It could be a tight league, but we keep saying that every year and we end up with two breaking away towards the end and it is a dog fight."

Ferguson added: "I was reading the Liverpool programme and saw that Bill Shankly had 12 defeats the first time he won the league. It just shows you the change. Mind you, there were 42 games in those days as opposed to 38."

We had exactly the same thing last year. We had a lot of injuries to the back four time and time again. Yet we went 14 games without losing a goal.
Sir Alex Ferguson on injuries to key defenders

Blackburn, whose squad have been struck down with swine flu, have lost all four games on the road in the league this season. Sam Allardyce's side were defeated 5-0 by Chelsea at the weekend, although, like United, they progressed in the Carling Cup at the expense of Peterborough, managed by Ferguson's son Darren.

Ferguson said: "I spoke to Sam before the Chelsea game and he had concerns about the flu. He had players missing, but David Dunn was back during the week and maybe others will be fit. Flu does happen, but so far we are okay.

"I am not sure what kind of team Sam will be able to pick, but it will be a hard game as it is a local derby. While I am told they have a poor away record, I think Sam has had to build a different team."