But the Manchester United manager knows they will not be able to escape for that much longer with their charitable defending that has seen them concede 15 league goals already this season.

Man Utd’s Robin Van Persie (right) tries to get past Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici during their EPL tie on Saturday. Pics/AFP

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With the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium looming on Sunday, Ferguson will know his side can ill-afford a repeat defensive performance. Ferguson said: “It was unbelievable. There was some real bad defending in the first half. The worst we’ve been this season. We have to sort that out. We got battered and deserved it but we are getting goals to rescue us all the time. In the first-half I said to myself it would be a miracle if we win this the way we were defending. I’m just glad we did. It’s not a question of character, but if you make mistakes like that defending, it’s going to be rescue jobs every week. Once again this was.”

United conceded six goals, albeit on home soil, 14 months ago to next opponents Manchester City. It looked as though history could repeat itself at relegation-threatened Reading before Robin van Persie had the final say in the seven-goal thriller to send them back to the top of the league.

The visitors fell behind to Hal Robson-Kanu’s fine opener before normal service was resumed when Anderson and Wayne Rooney’s penalty looked to have put them in control. But two headers from Adam Le Fondre and Sean Morrison, both from corners, would have left Ferguson fuming. United responded, as they so often do, with Rooney and van Persie wrapping up the win in this see-saw game that saw seven goals in the first 30 minutes. —u00a0

Benitez, Wenger under fire after shocking lossesBoth Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez and Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger felt the heat after their teams suffered shocking defeats in the EPL on Saturday. While Chelsea lost 1-3 to West Ham,u00a0Arsenal lost 0-2 at home to Swansea City. Interim manager Benitez said: “It’s a top side in the middle of the season, and things aren’t the best. We’ll try to improve but it will take some time.”