Considering United left more than £100m worth of first team talent in Manchester, and have already qualified, the Champions League result was not too bad. In fact, some of the performances from United's young side were very heartening. Galatasaray entered this match seeking a first European win in their new stadium and requiring three points to take them closer to the financially lucrative second stage of this competition. To put it mildly, this game was kind of a big deal for the Turks.

Despite the lopsided motivation levels at the outset, United looked comfortable for much of the first half. Nick Powell, making his European debut, and Phil Jones, back from injury, were both keen to impress and their gumption infected the rest of the team.

In particular, Cleverley looked assured and his recent spate of performances for England seem to have calmed him for bigger games. Although he is not yet ready to control matches - a la Pirlo - he can certainly make his presence felt now and came close with a decent chance early in the game.

Cleverley, alongside Anderson and Fletcher, formed a midfield that was able to pass and retain possession fairly slickly. Nonetheless, it is stamped into the DNA of this football club to play with wingers and there was a painful lack of incision from United in this match. At one point, they fluffed three corners in a row, something that would not normally happen with a crosser in the side.

The top managers in world football talk about football being a game of details. At the highest level, they argue, games are won and lost by fine margins and small factors matter. Therefore, if you play a midfielder in the centre of your defence, the opposition are going to know where your weakness is.

Carrick has long been a divisive figure for United fans. Some think he is underrated and useful, others can't tell the difference whether he plays or not. There is no indecision about his ability to play centre defence. Whilst it is admirable that he is willing to step unto the breach when required, it does not steady the nerves to see him at centre back.

Two losses in a week can be accounted for by United twice playing people out of position. Carrick here, and Giggs in Norwich. When QPR pull up in Manchester on Saturday, a more orthodox line up will be required to assure the points. Another slip up in that fixture would not be acceptable.

There are certainly positives to be drawn from this game. Fletcher completed 90 minutes, as did Phil Jones. Jones looked good and it can only help the development of all these players to have performed respectably on this occasion.

But the feeling remains that the weak links in this United side are too glaring to ignore. Opposition managers know to target United in midfield and centre defence as they are vulnerable in those positions. With that knowledge so readily available, it is no surprise scoring against United is so easy at the moment. Unless Sir Alex Ferguson's team can start keeping clean sheets, and even eking out draws, they are unlikely to win anything this term.

Follow Mark on www.twitter.com/markjpayne

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