The phenomenon of fans willing their team to lose habitually rears its ugly head at the business end of the season. In the English Premier League, more often than not, it involves Manchester United. Spurs fans may have offered a helping hand in 1999 but United were exposed to the trick's drawbacks over a decade later.
For fans of Manchester United, last night's 2-0 win away at Blackburn was a cause for delirious joy, taking their team five points clear at the top of the table. For everyone else it was a cause for grudging admiration and jealousy of a side that, despite being incredibly average at points this season has an unparalleled ability to produce results.