LONDON (AFP) - Sir Alex Ferguson says Wayne Rooney's three month injury-enforced lay-off caught up with him in the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough at Old Trafford where he was rarely in action.
The 27 million pound 18-year-old made a sensational start to his Manchester United career last week with a hat-trick against Fenerbahce in the Champions League.
But it took a goal from ex-Leeds star Alan Smith to save United as Rooney failed to make an impact.
But Ferguson insists there is no cause for alarm, either from his team's league position or from Rooney, who is bound to take time to reach full fitness after taking three months to recover from the broken foot he suffered on England duty during Euro 2004.
"Wayne wasn't quite as sharp as he was on Tuesday but you have to take into account before that game he hadn't played for 96 days," said the United boss.
"Adrenaline got him through against Fenerbahce, whereas he was a bit leaden-legged against Middlesbrough. It's not a problem though and neither is the gap between ourselves and Arsenal.
"You can't suddenly just accumulate the points we are behind in one game. It has to be done bit by bit. There is a long way to go yet and once we get back off the international break, we can have a decent run at it."
Smith has already scored a late winner against Norwich City and salvaged an injury-time draw at Blackburn Rovers since his 7 million pound move from Elland Road and, after replacing John O'Shea midway through the second half, he popped up again 10 minutes from time to head home Cristiano Ronaldo's cross.
"Alan did a fantastic job for us," Ferguson told the Premier League website.
"It wasn't just the goal, overall he brought a zip to proceedings which we lacked in the first half.
"We were too slow at the start and didnt quicken the pace enough.
"We were better in the second half and, given the unbelievable number of times we got to the by-line, we should have won. But when you are 1-0 down with 10 minutes to go, you just need to get something from the game and that is what we did."
Boro, managed by Ferguson's former deputy Steve McClaren, have beaten United in the Premiership in each of the last three seasons and could well have made it four on the trot even without injured strikers Mark Viduka and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
"That was one of the most memorable performances in my time at the club," McClaren said.
"We didn't just defend and launch long balls over the top, we played good football.
"There is a greater expectation about us now. We have upped our standard and there are some exciting times ahead."