The problem with beating a team 7-1 is that, when you come to play that side again, people will expect more of the same, even if deep down they know the possibility of a repeat is about as likely as Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, naming an unchanged starting XI.

With their team desperately struggling for goals, Manchester United supporters should have known better than to expect another landslide against AS Roma at Old Trafford. When analysed against the backdrop of last season’s annihilation of the Italian club, the paucity of last night’s scoreline again served only to underline the difficulties facing Sir Alex Ferguson as he attempts to breathe life into his attack.

It was expected that, with Louis Saha unleashed from the first whistle, this would be the night when United, after six 1-0 wins in their previous eight matches, rediscovered the scoring prowess that has punctuated so much of their attacking play under Ferguson, for victory alone has never been enough for this manager.

Once again, though, the free-flowing football that United pride themselves in did not materialise, but are we witnessing the birth of a new United? Ferguson often spoke glowingly of the “relentless efficiency” demonstrated by José Mourinho’s Chelsea during their two league title-winning seasons and there are parallels with the United team who are grinding down the opposition and grinding out results this season.

If Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, is not prepared to accept winning-but-ugly football, the supporters of a club for whom entertainment is the epicentre of their tradition are unlikely to settle for anything ugly whatever the result, but at the moment it is difficult to see how things are going to change.

Despite scoring, Wayne Rooney looked no better alongside Saha, who was making his first start since February, than he has when playing with Carlos Tévez. Surely a system has to be found that makes full use of the England forward’s talents.

While United continue to carve out 1-0 wins, Ferguson will be content, but it is a dilemma all the same.

The defence rode their luck at times against Roma, who had at least three chances to score in the second half, but it poses the question of how much longer United can continue to withstand such pressure.

The days of beating teams by a margin of two or three goals, let alone six, seem a long time ago.