Like most Premier League clubs at this stage of the campaign, Manchester United face a run of fixtures in the coming weeks that could define their season.The Red Devils are fifth on the table with five points separating them from the top four, albeit with at least one game in hand over each team above them.Such a scenario only becomes advantageous when the opportunity is capitalised on – something United could struggle to do if their recent league form continues.
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The Red Devils will have to grind out wins from five of the current top seven clubs between now and the end of the season – an especially tall order considering they have only won four of their nine Premier League matches in 2017.
If their upcoming fixtures are not unsettling enough for United fans, the most pressing concern of all lies in their results at Old Trafford for the 2016/17 season.
Jose Mourinho has made his side hard to beat during his first campaign in Manchester but in the process picked up a record, brought to our attention by Opta, that will make his blood boil.
Under the leadership of the three-time Premier League winner, his men have produced the lowest win percentage of any United side in the Premier League era.
The statistic sits at a measly 40 per cent given the Old Trafford outfit have registered six wins, eight draws and one loss on home soil this season.
If United could have scraped wins in just three of those draws, they would be level on points with Tottenham in second place.
While Mourinho and United still have time to earn themselves automatic Champions League qualification, it is a record they will surely want to improve going into the new campaign.
During the tenure of Sir Alex Ferguson, the fear factor associated with a trip to Old Trafford gave the Red Devils a huge edge before a ball had even been kicked.
It could be some time before United fans enjoy a comparable era, but they are within their rights to expect teams like West Brom, Bournemouth, Hull and Burnley to leave the red half of Manchester empty-handed.