At least in some of Manchester United's earlier low points of the season, their problem was simply struggling to score goals on a regular basis.
But from the evidence of the Saturday defeat to Norwich, which has left Louis van Gaal in a spot of bother, and the previous loss to Bournemouth, the defence is starting to leak goals again on the counter.
On Saturday, they were clearly missing the Bastian-Schweinsteiger-Morgan Schneiderlin shield in front of the back four with an ageing Michael Carrick and lumbering Marouane Fellaini - neither of whom are defence-first type players sitting and both of whom lack place - providing protection.
For all of the criticism Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin have received due to their sideways passing of the ball - Rio Ferdinand has stated that they "pose zero threat" in an attacking sense - they did at least provide a platform in front of the defence which added a level of stability.
Against Bournemouth, Schweinsteiger had only started to serve his suspension for his perceived aggression in a goalless draw against West Ham, while Schneiderlin has been struggling with injury.
Again, Carrick and Fellaini started together at the heart of midfield, as Bournemouth shocked Van Gaal's side.
When it comes to tackles and interceptions per game, the other pair figure in the Top 5-6 players at Man United this season in the Premier League, with Schneiderlin in particular doing well in that regard with three tackles per match and 2.8 interceptions.
Picture by: John Walton / EMPICS Sport
Carrick, for example, has a lower rate in both categories and Fellaini, whose figure will be skewed by his earlier role as a substitute and being a more advanced player is far, far lower, averaging fewer than one tackle or interception per game this season.
But while Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin may not pose much threat going forward, their suspension and injury concerns cropped up at the worst time for Louis van Gaal as United still can't deliver the goals that can bail out their newly-leaking defence.
In Schweinsteiger's case at least, he is back from suspension in time for the key clash against Chelsea on December 28th, while Schneiderlin was in the squad to face Norwich which suggests that he is on the road to recovery.
And it couldn't come soon enough for Van Gaal with Jose Mourinho sitting politely on the sidelines and reportedly seeking an immediate return to football.
Former Ireland defender Paddy Mulligan reviewed the weekend's Premier League, including Manchester United's home defeat to Norwich on the Rewind:
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