United have brought in Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia and Bordeaux's Gabriel Obertan to replace departed forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

BBC: Ferguson rules out more signings

As both sides traded blows, Ferguson made a change on the hour when he sent on Paul Scholes and Gabriel Obertan for Berbatov and Ji-Sung Park.

BBC: Everton 3-1 Man Utd

James' Park, with the wonderfully talented pair of Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa at the club, as well as the likes of Sylvain Marveaux, Gabriel Obertan and Romain Amalfitano.

CNN: A taxing time for French football?

With the hosts more relaxed, substitute Gabriel Obertan - on for Nani - almost made it a sensational Premier League debut as he picked up the ball in the box but shot inexplicably wide.

BBC: Man Utd 2-0 Blackburn

Substitute Gabriel Obertan should have doubled United's advantage late on but his header from a corner fell wide, while Javier Hernandez was also guilty of lacking the killer instinct when he dragged a shot wide when ideally placed to score.

BBC: Man Utd 1-0 Bursaspor

They had long periods of possession but, despite two good efforts from Gabriel Obertan, the hosts only came really close to equalising in stoppage time when they had a penalty shout before veteran Besiktas keeper Rustu made two superb saves.

BBC: Sir Alex Ferguson unfazed by lost European record

All of a sudden United were the side displaying an air of desperation, and even as Valencia drove wide and substitute Gabriel Obertan forced a good block late in the game, there was a lack of belief among the visitors' late rally.

BBC: John Terry

Ferguson took off misfiring strikers Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov and sent on Gabriel Obertan and Macheda with his side looking beaten but they raised themselves for a late rally to earn a point that had appeared out of reach following the stirring efforts of Villa.

BBC: Aston Villa 2-2 Man Utd