Ferguson set to spin lottery selection wheel again?

United take on Wigan tomorrow at the DW Stadium, a defeat will send the tabloids into overdrive because the champions surely cannot afford to lose two very winnable looking games on the bounce.

Earlier this week United were humbled by Premier League newcomers Burnley; it was arguably one of the most embarrassing results in Ferguson's reign as United manager.

Going into what will be another tricky away fixture, Ferguson has been rocked by the news that Rio Ferdinand will be out injured for up to four weeks. However, Nemaja Vidic is set to make his first appearance of the season - and the fans will be hoping the Serbian isn't being rushed back to soon having missed the whole of pre-season and having only trained for ten days.

The very fact that Vidic is being rushed back so soon smacks of a panic measure, but given Jonny Evans was withdrawn after 75 minutes at Turf Moor in midweek the manager may well claim he has no alternative.

It is hoped the return of Vidic will not backfire because United really do need to get back to winning ways, especially in the wake of the Burnley defeat, many supporters are asking why Fergie needed to make so many changes to the team that faced Birmingham at Old Trafford last Sunday, because United had only played one game.

The United manager has got away with chopping and changing his team over the last few seasons, largely because Cristiano Ronaldo was an ever-present and it was his goals that helped the champions secure six points from fixtures against many of the clubs outside of the top four last season.

The other big talking point concerns Michael Owen, the former Newcastle striker has so far failed to find his goal-scoring touch and it remains to be seen who will partner Wayne Rooney up front on Saturday. Some supporters would like to see Macheda given his chance because so far the young Italian has been completely ignored in preference to senior players who have so far failed to deliver.