4) Rivals are looking poor
This may reflect more badly on Manchester United’s rivals than on Manchester United themselves, but it’s crucial that the Reds take advantage of poor starts from some of their rivals. Chelsea look in crisis after only two wins and plenty of goals conceded, and it looks increasingly like Jose Mourinho is losing the dressing room. Liverpool have also been poor and may be close to sacking Brendan Rodgers. That leaves only Manchester City and Arsenal, with the latter sure to slip up at some point as they have done every year for the last decade or more, and after two defeats on the spin it’s clear that Manuel Pellegrini’s side is still lacking in certain areas as well. This represents a big opportunity for United as their rivals rebuild.