OHN O'Shea has admitted Manchester United's poor goalscoring record this season is the major factor behind their failure to reclaim the Premiership crown.
After Saturday's disappointing goalless draw with Blackburn, even Sir Alex Ferguson was forced to admit it was time to "forget about Chelsea" and concentrate on the battle with Arsenal to finish runners-up and claim the second automatic Champions League slot.
The Gunners seem to have recovered from their mid-season slump, recording six wins in seven Premiership outings since the 4-2 home defeat to United in February and scrambled above the Red Devils on goal difference this weekend.
So if Ferguson's men are to stand any chance of clinching second spot - and netting a precious £2million in extra Champions League prize money - they need to increase their goals output over the remaining seven games of the campaign.
Despite a squad boasting the undoubted talents of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Alan Smith, the Old Trafford outfit have hit the target just 48 times in 31 games so far this season and O'Shea accepts the figure does not make pretty reading.
"A lot of people will be surprised at the number of goals we have scored," said the Irish international.
"Normally it is a lot higher than that and it has to be a factor in the way our season has gone.
"If you look back on a number of games - Tottenham, Fulham, Manchester City, Everton, Blackburn twice - we have battered the opposition and not won the match.
"You have to take your chances and it is something we will have to work on because with the talent we have in our squad, we should have scored more goals."
O'Shea has contributed two league strikes himself this term, including the superb chipped fourth at Highbury that wrapped up United's momentous victory.
That goal could prove particularly important at the end of the season as the sides who have won every Premiership title bar one slug it out for the scraps off Chelsea's table.
Agony
The extra agony for United this term is they have lost only two matches themselves, with Saturday's draw extending their present unbeaten run to 20.
Yet they still find themselves an amazing 13 points behind Jose Mourinho's men, who will wrap up their first title in 50 years by triumphing over Fulham at Stamford Bridge on April 23 providing they have gained maximum points from their previous home games against Birmingham and Arsenal.
And, though O'Shea and his team-mates are frustrated at their own inability to match the challenge Chelsea have laid down this term, he is gracious enough to offer the Blues plenty of praise.
"You have to give credit where it is due," he said.
"We were hoping Chelsea would suffer a blip but it hasn't happened and with so few games left, you have to accept it is almost over for us now.
"I suppose it is difficult to take in because we have been on such a great run ourselves.
"But we drew a couple of games at the start of the season and then a couple more when we got close to Chelsea and could have put some pressure on them. That has cost us.
"The Champions League was disappointing as well, so we must make sure we finish strongly and seal second place.
"If we can do that, and pick up an FA Cup medal as well, when you look at the mixture of experience, freshness and talent in the squad, I can only see positives for next season."
O'Shea has a more personal battle to win if he is to emulate his achievement of 12 months ago and end the season as part of an FA Cup final-winning team.
Ferguson has already stated places in the April 17 semi-final with Newcastle are up for grabs, with O'Shea one of the players he admits deserves a chance as he looks to instil more life into his misfiring side. Ryan Giggs is doubtful after limping out of Saturday's clash.
However, with Gabriel Heinze an automatic choice at left-back, O'Shea faces a tough battle to force his way into a midfield position.
So, if he does retain his place at Norwich on Saturday, highly likely given a booking for Roy Keane at Carrow Road would automatically rule him out of the semi, an exceptional performance will be required.
"The key to being a United player is retaining patience while you wait for your chance, then taking it when it arrives," he said.
"Many Manchester United players have done that down the years. When you are in a talented squad like this sometimes you have to bide your time.
"The manager has shown in the past he will give players a chance. You have to respect that."
In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.