United's best yet to come - Scholes

Sir Alex Ferguson's side are aiming to bounce back against Blackburn on Saturday evening, after losing to bitter rivals Liverpool last weekend, but, until the Anfield encounter, United were unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions - and Scholes wants to go on another winning run.

"I would not say we have been stuttering, but we have not been as fluent as we know we can be," he told United Review. "There has been the odd performance - like Tottenham away - where everything has come together, but I think the best is ahead of us."

He added: "We are not too worried about our form, because traditionally we are not great at the start of the season.

"The difference this time is that, more often than not, we've still been winning games - so I cannot complain too much. But we would like to get back to the top of the league - with style.

"Some teams might settle for getting results, but here at United we aim a little higher."

United boss Ferguson is confident they can cope without key defenders - because Edwin van der Sar is back between the posts.

Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are struggling to face Blackburn, because of calf injuries, while Gary Neville is suspended.

Ferguson, however, is relaxed about the situation, saying: "We had exactly the same thing last year.

"We had a lot of injuries to the back four time and time again. Yet we went 14 games without losing a goal."