Why Manchester United's Poor Form Is Good for the Premier League

If you're not a United supporter, then it really is a blessing in disguise. United's previous dominance in the league has pretty much all but disappeared and the 'epic' draw against Fulham has seen them possibly losing out on a Champions League place and that all important top four finish.
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David Moyes has already broken a number of records during his short Manchester United career.

Unfortunately, he has broken all of the wrong ones and the Red Devils have suffered some dismal home defeats, including their first against Newcastle since 1972, their first against West Bromwich Albion since 1978 and their first against Swansea City in 82 years.

His predecessor, Sir Alex Ferguson, never lost four out of six home games during his incredible 26 year tenure. Moyes has managed to do it in just nine months.

It's easy to throw all of the blame on Moyes, yet the red side of Manchester will surely be divided over who is actually responsible - the team or the new manager.

Blessing

If you're not a United supporter, then it really is a blessing in disguise. United's previous dominance in the league has pretty much all but disappeared and the 'epic' draw against Fulham has seen them possibly losing out on a Champions League place and that all important top four finish.

Essentially, United's shortcomings have given the Premier League a new lease of life.

It seems that anybody can now beat anybody and that 'one team' which goes the entire season unbeaten doesn't exist any more. For example, Liverpool's emphatic 5-1 victory over league leaders Arsenal came the same weekend in which both Manchester sides were held to draws. The loss was the Gunners' second thrashing of the season following the nine goal thriller against City, which ended 6-3.

This goes to show that results are becoming more and more unpredictable, as is the chase for the Premier League title and it seems that United have paved the way for a new era. Gone is their predictable dominance and instead we usher in a more competitive English league.

Resurrection

That being said, all is not lost for Manchester United fans. This is a club with a history of comebacks and not just in Champions League finals.

Let's look at the terrible Munich air disaster from 6 February 1958, which killed 23 passengers, including eight United players, who were on their way home from competing against Red Star Belgrade in the European Cup.

It was said that the team would never be the same again, but the makeshift side managed to reach the FA Cup final, eventually losing to Bolton.

In the years following the tragedy, Sir Matt Busby rebuilt the side and it became one of the most feared in all of Europe.

I'm not comparing United's poor form to the Munich air disaster at all, but merely suggesting that Manchester United are a strong side who are capable of rebuilding.

It may take a while, possibly even years, but a club of United's stature is sure to bounce back.

Competitive

Nonetheless, United's poor performances make for an extremely exciting and intense final few months of the season as the Premier League is thrown wide open.

Just six points separates first place from fourth, but more exciting is the race for a top four finish.

Realistically, teams all the way down to ninth placed Southampton are in with a shout, which makes the Premier League that bit more competitive.

It's a certainty that United's slip-ups and shockers have got almost every other team laughing and the club needs to use this to their advantage now. United need to call on their players to show some real grit and determination, which they are certainly not used to given their previous successes.

A major overhaul may be the answer, so it could be interesting next season to see what Moyes and the Glazers are able to do in the transfer window.

Overall, from a football fan's (United fan or not) point of view, the collapse of the Red Devil's domination certainly spices things up a bit in the Premier League.

Any team can beat another, making every game that much more exciting and special.

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