The doom-mongers have been out in force regarding Manchester United’s season, proclaiming they are a fading outfit and that they will have no chance of winning the Premier League or Champions League this season. It is true that United’s early season form has not been great, but they remain unbeaten and are notoriously slow starters, if they can keep pace with Chelsea until Christmas, this is when Man Utd usually pounce, and they might fancy their chances of regaining their league title.
Manchester United’s league campaign began brightly enough, with a comfortable 3-0 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford. A tougher test followed next weekend in an away game at Fulham, which they drew 2-2, their next away match though, was the one that really provoked some questioning of United’s credentials. The Red Devils were leading 3-1 at Everton going into injury time, yet somehow conspired to let their lead slip and ended up drawing the game 3-3. United are used to making these comebacks, not being on the receiving end of them, so it certainly came as a shock when Everton managed to pull the two goals back. This was indeed a poor result for Man Utd, and the defence was becoming an increasing cause for concern.
When you take a step back however, you learn that United have won all of their home league games thus far, and drawn all of their away games, which is not such a bad record. Their away fixtures have not exactly been easy ones either, United have so far faced Fulham, Everton, Bolton and Sunderland on the road, and none of these games are gimmes. The Premier League is getting more and more competitive and every team is capable of holding their own and producing a shock result, something you could not perhaps have said in the past. United are unbeaten, and whilst this will please Sir Alex Ferguson, he will be hoping that they can convert some of these away draws into wins.
Manchester United of course, always tend to start the season slowly, and every year rival fans and pundits seem to say this is the year United will slump, and that the league title is beyond them. It may be a cliché but it is true to say that you write off Manchester United at your peril, and they often find their form in the latter stages of the season and have frequently found themselves finishing at the top of the table. United will need to keep pace with the early front-runner Chelsea, and if they can they will be in a good position to threaten the London side in the business end of the season.
Man Utd have also had a couple of personnel issues. Rio Ferdinand has only just returned from injury and he is a crucial member of United’s defence, which is sure to be stronger with him partnering Nemanja Vidic, clean sheets against Valencia and Sunderland were promising starts. Wayne Rooney also, the Red Devil’s main man last season, has yet to find form this term. His personal problems have been well documented, but as the dust settles Rooney is sure to regain his form and confidence and start tormenting Premier League defences as he has done all of his career.
Manchester United’s start to the season may not have set the world alight, but there is more than enough time for the club to get some consistently strong performances together and start picking up those away wins that have so far eluded them, and you would certainly not bet against them doing this.
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