Last season, when the pundits were writing United off, the team rallied. This season has seen the clubs worst-ever start to the Premiership and last weekend, after they had lost 1-0 at Leeds and Birmingham had triumphed over Villa, the team currently lies 10th in the table, behind the side managed by former Red Steve Bruce. But if Maccabi Haifa are expecting to play United on the crest of a slump they may be in for a Ruud awakening, (sorry, couldnt resist that one).
Last seasons flying Dutchman has been temporarily grounded, and has failed to hit a single Premiership goal in the six outings so far. A far cry from the 36 goals he scored last season but Van Nistelrooy is patiently predicting that he will soon add to his impressive Champions League total of ten in 14 games, last season. Throw in the eight he hit as a PSV player and the two scored against ZTE, in this seasons qualifying round, and perhaps the reason people are writing him off is because of the extraordinarily high standards he has set in the past. Like United themselves.
Van Nistelrooy, whilst not requesting sympathy, is asking for some help. He says that more goals should come from the rest of the team and he refuses to panic. "I accept people will be looking at me to score and will always look at my figures but it is not only about me scoring,' he explained. "You can play a bad game, as a striker yet score a goal and that makes people happy. Scoring is important for a striker but I am not panicking.'
The only drawback for the Dutchman is that he is likely to occupy the lone-striker role, as he did for much of last season, but he should have the support of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, just behind him.
The game against the Euro minnows Maccabi Haifa is manna from heaven for Van Nistelrooy and there is little doubt that he will relish the challenge of showing he has not lost his scoring touch. But the first Israeli team to reach the Champions League may not relish the role of cannon fodder, however they may have little choice in the matter.
The midfield fitness hoodoo has struck United once again and there are grave doubts that Nicky Butt will be able to shake off the bruised hip he sustained before limping off at Leeds on Saturday. With Paul Scholes and Roy Keane long-term absentees there is added pressure for Sebastian Veron to play, despite a slight groin strain.
Michael Stewart is already ruled out with an ankle injury but there is good news for Gary Neville who is expected to make the subs bench, following the foot injury that ruled him out of the World Cup.
Sir Alex Ferguson, meanwhile, has set United a ten-point target as they bid to put their early-season Premiership troubles behind them and get off to a flying start in the Champions League at OT tonight. But hes not even going to start discussing the possibility of reaching the final which, of course, will be played at the Theatre of Dreams next May.
"Getting those ten points is a challenge in itself,' said the United boss. "You are looking to win your home games, then get that one result away which gets you into the next phase. There is definitely an increase in excitement and anticipation after that.'
Despite the on-going injury problems and talk of a so-called 'crisis Fergie is not worried about a lack of confidence in the camp. He added: "There is not a lot wrong. One or two little decision-making situations but that is all. The confidence is not a problem. We have played some great football and been defending very well. We just need to improve things in the last third.'
