Manchester Utd 3 Everton 0:IT IS in his programme notes that Alex Ferguson likes to communicate directly with supporters, free to praise and condemn without the danger of having his words twisted by what he perceives to be a hostile media.

He spoke of being “as frustrated as, doubtless, our supporters” and complained at length about the way his team were encouraging opponents because of a habit that has got under his skin for longer than he would care to remember, namely fluffing their lines in front of goal.

The point has been made behind closed doors. “We are working on the problem,” Ferguson wrote.

It is the issue known as replacing Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals, spreading the load and, to put it bluntly, getting the job done in the opposition penalty area.

As United discovered at Chelsea a couple of weeks ago, it is no use out-passing opponents without out-scoring them.

They have won 27 and lost only one of the past 31 league games at Old Trafford, but Ferguson’s complaint is that United’s domination at home has been undermined by a suspicion that “the players feel they make so many opportunities they can afford to wait”.

Saturday was the first time this season a team has come to Old Trafford and been beaten by three goals, and a humdrum victory it was once Darren Fletcher had scored with a volley that was a demonstration of technique and precision.

Michael Carrick made it 2-0 with an elegant left-foot finish, and the substitute Paul Scholes then set up Antonio Valencia to score with what is becoming his forte: the deflected shot.