MUFC

By Chris
December 8 2013

Following Saturday’s defeat at home to Newcastle United, the Red Devils have picked up 22 points from 15 Premier League outings; sitting ninth in the table – but how far back do you have to go since United boasted a poorer record at this stage of the campaign?

A 12-match unbeaten run has been brought to a juddering halt by back-to-back league defeats, with many supporters increasingly concerned by the club’s prospects.

Following years of unprecedented success under Sir Alex Ferguson, expectations from many fans are extremely high – and David Moyes will be very aware of the urgent need to turn fortunes around after a stuttering start to his first campaign at the helm.

After the weekend’s action, United sit 13 points behind league leaders Arsenal, having accumulated six wins, four draws and five defeats. How far back into the archives do you have to go to find a poorer MUFC record at this stage of a league campaign?

The answer – 2001/2002.

That season, the Red Devils had 21 points at this stage, having suffered six defeats. Their 15th league outing was a 1-0 home loss at the hands of West Ham United, with Jermaine Defoe’s goal on 64 minutes the difference.

It was a result that left United ninth in the table and Ferguson admitted it would take a “miracle” for his side to win the championship.

So, how did that season finish?

That miracle didn’t happen – United finished the season in third position, with 77 points – ten points behind league winners Arsenal.

United, however, did follow up that West Ham defeat with a stunning run of eight successive victories and spent a considerable spell at the summit of the division, albeit with Arsenal harbouring games-in-hand.

Here’s a look back at United’s league record after 15 games since that 2001/2002 campaign: