Sir Alex Ferguson believes his team can recover from their poor start to the season against title rivals Chelsea on Sunday.

Manchester United struggled to a goalless draw with Villarreal in the Champions League last night but the manager says he is not anxious about his side's early season form.

"We will improve from now," Ferguson said. "We are a bit short but the games will bring us on. It was the same last season. It wasn't until we got a victory over Sunderland that we really got on the road.

"We have a little bit to go yet. But once the sharpness of play comes I am sure the goals will come as well."

The Champions League stalemate at Old Trafford extended a run that has now seen them win only once and score just four times in their opening five matches.

However, Ferguson claimed that he was happy with United's overall performance, in which Jonny Evans hit a post late on and Cristiano Ronaldo made an earlier than expected return from ankle surgery after the summer-long transfer saga with Real Madrid.

"We expected Cristiano to get a great reception," Ferguson said. "He knows the supporters have always been behind him. He has given us great moments and scored some fantastic goals.

"Maybe he was a bit apprehensive but he shows great loyalty and commitment every time he puts that jersey on."

Despite Ronaldo's return as a substitute, Ferguson was unwilling to confirm the Portugal winger's availability for the trip to Stamford Bridge.

"That was his first game back so it is a big ask to think about Sunday," Ferguson said. "To come back like that, without a practice match or anything, the boy has done very well."

And with Dimitar Berbatov missing out after picking up a knee injury at Liverpool at the weekend, Ferguson was equally reluctant to confirm the Bulgarian's participation.

"Dimitar has a chance for Sunday but it is too early to say for certain," he said.