AND THE NEWS OF THE WORLD AGREES

Last updated : 15 September 2002 By Editor

From The NOTW:

The real complacency came right from the top — with a manager who put too much emphasis on hunger and not enough on the many tiny failings that have piled up to make what is now Manchester United's worst start since the Premier League began.

The drip-drip of easy excuses continued in the defeat by Leeds. Luck, poor refereeing decisions and injuries replacing hunger, mansions, Rolex watches and fast cars as the bogeymen in Sir Alex Ferguson's eyes.

The reality is United's decline threatens to be as sharp as their rise was arduous.

And the buck must largely stop at the manager's door. Too many mistakes have been made, in the transfer market, on the field and off it.

The greatest complacency now would be to look at the list of the injured and think the answer lies simply on the treatment table.

One year ago this month, Ferguson's side came from 3-0 down to 5-3 up at White Hart Lane.

It was one of the greatest second-half performances the game has ever seen. These days it wouldn't happen.

United have lost the art of making pressure count. They flounder in front of goal, a shadow of the team that never knew when it was beaten. Now, everyone knows when United are done.