Although Manchester United returned to winning ways against West Ham to keep up the pressure on leaders Liverpool and closest challengers Chelsea, with Arsenal dropping points again, a chink in the armoury of England's leading quartet has been spotted.

Ferguson still expects the old order to re-establish itself. But he does concede Villa might get there.

"I do not see anyone breaking in, other than Aston Villa," said the United boss.

"It is possible they might do it - but no-one else."

Ferguson's concern is United and, despite easing home on Wednesday thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's double, he was not happy with his team's response to Saturday's disappointing draw at Everton.

"The first half was magnificent but the second was disappointing," said the Scot.

"I was ready for more of the same. I felt we were going to add to our goal tally, which could be important at the end of the season, but we didn't capitalise."

Ferguson was able to enthuse about Ronaldo's second, his fifth of the season, which owed everything to the brilliance of Dimitar Berbatov.

Seemingly shadowed by James Collins, Berbatov left the Hammers defender stranded next to the byline with an amazing pirouette before presenting Ronaldo with a two-yard tap-in.

"Dimitar's play for the second goal was absolutely magnificent," said Ferguson. "You would pay a lot of money to watch that.

"He has such fantastic control and balance. It truly was marvellous."

Ferguson is considering unleashing Berbatov, Carlos Tevez - who started for the first time in a month - and Wayne Rooney - who came off the bench after an hour - on some unsuspecting opponent, although for now he is trying to balance his squad the best way he can.

Rafael da Silva got the right-back slot, while Tomasz Kuszczak was the lucky recipient of the goalkeeping jersey last night, with Ben Foster pencilled in to play against Celtic at Parkhead next week.

Ferguson's selection dilemmas are a foreign world to Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola.

His team have now lost four on the trot and Swiss international Valon Behrami is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a calf injury.

The Italian seems to have a major job on his hands reigniting belief at Upton Park, but he has faith in his players.

"The second half has to be a starting point for us," said Zola, whose side tackle Middlesbrough at the weekend.

"It is very important for us to pick something up on Saturday and stop this losing run.

"I have total belief in the players. I have so much faith in their quality and I am sure they will soon get over this bad spell."