Old Trafford was the venue of a breathtaking encounter between Manchester United and Hull City on Saturday.

The Reds survived a seven-goal thriller, clinching all three points thanks to a narrow 4 – 3 victory that took them third with 21 points in the league table.

Manchester United are only 5 points behind joint leaders Chelsea and Liverpool, and they have a game in hand. Hopes to retain the Premiership title are now well alive but there are also fears that the bubble might burst soon.

The ultimate thing in a league match is to grab all three points – which Manchester United just got right last weekend, but despite that, the Reds had more negatives than positives to learn from the game against Hull. And their reaction at the end of the match proved that; if one had missed the whole of the ninety minutes but seen the reaction of both sides after the referee’s final blow, there is no doubt they will think Man United lost the game.

Indeed, they lost the tempo though they managed to survive. When Vidic had inscribed Manchester United’s fourth goal minutes into the second half, everyone thought of a goal harvest. But even with a 4 – 1 score line, Manchester United had not buried the game.

Hull City did not bend their shoulders. They provoked defensive mistakes and the three goals margin was soon reduced to only one.

Luckily enough, the Champions escaped with a narrow 4 – 3 win but this came more as a disappointment than a relief; Man United missed the chance to boost their goal difference.

One man who really felt the discontent was midfielder Michael Carrick who put his side back in front after Daniel Cousin had equalized for Hull City.

Speaking to the BBC, Carrick avowed his disappointment at the result. He explained how much he did not understand the fact that Man United had to hang on after being 4 – 1 up at a point in the game.

The Red Champions are going through a ‘second half crisis’ at the moment and Ferguson needs to get things right as quickly as possible.

As Evra noticed a week before, Man United lost their way in the second half at Goodison Park, which cost them two points at the end of it all.

Manchester also failed to find the back of the net in the second period against West Ham and it was Ronaldo’s first half double who had to guarantee them a victory.

Yet again on Saturday, their 4 – 1 lead was cut to 4 – 3, and the Reds were inches away from an unacceptable 4 – 4 draw – a bit similar to what happened in midweek between Tottenham Hotspurs and Arsenal.

What is happening to the Champions? Why should it be so hard to defend victories?

The thriller that was at Old Trafford on Saturday involving the Tigers is another great warning to the double title winners.

They face Arsene Wenger’s damaged Arsenal next Saturday in a clash where one mistake could cost them dearly.

Manchester United also play Celtic in midweek in the Champions League; a game that Ferguson can take as a rehearsal for the great battle in the Premier League against the Gunners.

The defending Champions could claim a strong third place– and think of reaching top spot – if they beat Arsenal at the Emirates. They task is hard, true… Manchester United must rely on mental power throughout the whole of the season to achieve success.

Written by: Angela Asante