Manchester United were in danger of losing their four-year unbeaten home run in Europe against Wolfsburg. But, ironically, it was the Bundesliga champions that brought out the ‘German side’ from within the Old Trafford club to ultimately preserve that record.   That may be a strange thing to say considering not a single player from the country is in United’s senior squad, although long-term injury victim Owen Hargreaves once stated he felt he had a German mentality having plied most of his career at Bayern Munich.   To put it in simpler terms, when United aren’t at their swashbuckling best, they seem to summon enough strength to do just enough to win most games. It was another come-from-behind victory against debutants Wolfsburg that illustrated their ability to grind out results when the tide was against them.

It is often a stereotype - insulting and patronising even - but it is true that some ordinary German sides, at both international and club level, have reached finals of major competitions on the grounds of organisation, discipline and an uncompromising will to win.

Despite their critics who are prepared to pounce after a shaky performance or a rare defeat, they always seem to do enough to negotiate the group stages and perform when it matters.

And United possess similar traits. There is no doubt they miss something after the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. But there is a ruthless efficiency that has seen them win games from unlikely scenarios. Arsenal, Manchester City, Besiktas and now VFL Wolfsburg were all beaten the hard way, but beaten nonetheless.

However, like the Germans, United have been found wanting in the past in the latter stages of tournaments but it’s about making sure you’re there in the first place. Grind first, produce flair and finesse later.

Whether this current United side is capable of doing that in the second half of this season remains to be seen.

They were very fortunate to get anything from their game with Sunderland, although it wasn’t surprising to see United score a last-gasp own goal to rescue an undeserved point.

Fluctuating striking options (Michael Owen got injured against Wolsburg) and a lack of quality in midfield, with the exception of the evergreen Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, is a concern. On the wings, Antonio Valencia is finding his feet, but Nani tends to squander, while in goal Ben Foster is very unconvincing and has blown his chance to cement his place.

Perhaps Ferguson should be questioning the fitness of some of his players and whether they are worthy to wear the jersey before questioning the referee’s capabilities.

However, if Hargreaves is to make a return to fitness, then that gives United something extra. He may have been born in Canada and play for England, but his football brain is quintessentially German. That, on top of United’s battling and stubborn qualities could be a formidable prospect and Wolfsburg and Sunderland won’t be the only teams that visit Manchester, play well and still end up winless.