Even the most optimistic Manchester United supporter has to admit that this has been something of an annus horribilis for their side. Since being annointed as the Chosen One by the departing Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes has been pilloried throughout a season where United have never looked genuine contenders for the top four, never mind the Premiership title.
Plenty of reasons have been put forward as to why United have done so poorly this year, such as the confused transfer policy of the summer, the loss of key backroom staff, tactical errors and even that the side he inherited simply wasn't good enough. All of these may indeed play their part, but if we are asking simply why United are, at the time of writing, 7th in the League, 10 points off 4th and 17 off top, there is one, clear answer - their results against the teams above them.
