The game’s longest-serving manager appeared resigned to missing out on an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title when he described Sunday’s last-day scenario as “bleak”.

The defending champions must beat Stoke at Old Trafford and hope Wigan defy the odds to shatter Chelsea’s hopes of a first domestic crown since 2006 (1/9 Man United 7/1 draw 16/1 Stoke in the match betting market).

United have already lost seven Premier League games so far this season, were knocked out of the FA Cup by old rivals Leeds and were denied a fourth straight semi-finals appearance in the Champions League by Bayern Munich, meaning they are likely to end the season with just the Carling Cup added to the trophy cabinet.

Ferguson said he would not be pointing fingers or getting himself in knots about what went wrong but did suggest there could be a change in personnel.

“You have to take a decision about where we can improve the team,” he told MUTV.

“When you are challenging for four trophies it can have a draining effect. You have to be aware of that and spot the moment when it is time to freshen up one or two players.

“It is not a desire to do it but you need to do it because the demands and pressures on players can, over time, be quite exacting.”

Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville continue to roll back the years but cannot be relied upon week in-week out on four fronts.

Ferguson’s pointed remark that “we were just careless in our finishing” in the 1-0 win over Sunderland on Sunday has led to suggestions £30m signing Dimitar Berbatov has blown his chance to prove he is the perfect foil for Wayne Rooney, while England midfielder Michael Carrick could be another high-profile casualty off the back of a disappointing campaign.

Dutch veteran Edwin van der Saar is fast approaching 40, Rio Ferdinand has struggled for fitness and Nemanja Vidic has repeatedly denied he is seeking a transfer.

Ferguson has made a career out of coming off the ropes in the face of adversity and he may need to pull one last rabbit out of the hat to take United back to the top of English football in what could be a telling close-season of transfer activity.

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