Can Manchester United be ruled out of the Premier League title race?

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has refused to rule out Manchester United as Premier League title challengers

There has been a lot said and written about Manchester United’s struggles under David Moyes this season.

Some people have even claimed that the champions can now be ruled out of the title race. However, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has other thoughts on the matter.

Out

Talking about United’s title chances the veteran French boss told Sky Sports: “It is too early. They are not out of the title race.

“Are Man United out of the title race? No. You cannot rule Man United out today. They have big players, big experience and they are a big club. The gap is three games basically that is very quick in our league.”

Early

It is very early in the season to decide who is and who is not in the Premier League title race. However, the early signs are not encouraging for United this season. The team has struggled for results in games that in recent seasons would have been a given.

United have always managed to grind out results when they have needed to, but this season they have not managed to do that against teams that in previous seasons the Red Devils would have beaten.

One-man

It is amazing how one-man can change the whole atmosphere of a football club. Arsenal are sitting top of the Premier League and their form in recent months has been attributed to the club record signing of Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil.

The former-Real Madrid star has made a fantastic impact, not just in his play, but his arrival seems to have given everybody at the Emirates Stadium a major lift. His arrival and Aaron Ramsey’s impeccable form have taken the Gunners to the top of the table.

There is a contrast at Old Trafford, where the whole club seems to be in mourning for boss Sir Alex Ferguson retiring. The Red Devils are currently struggling for direction under Moyes, who at the moment is still getting accustomed to his new surroundings.

Ferguson’s shadow hangs over the club though, as the veteran Scot is a club director, while he also attends a lot of the games. Ferguson’s replacement was always going to find it difficult, as the veteran Scot played such a big part in the clubs success in the last 26 years.

Consistency

Except for Arsenal, United’s rivals for the Premier League title have struggled for consistency. However, the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea are starting to look more like they could start to put together consistent runs in the top-flight.

It is Arsenal that currently have the greatest consistency and if they continue in a similar vein then they will be difficult to stop. At the moment it is difficult to imagine United being able to take on the Gunners and come out on top, especially with the quality in the Gunners midfield.

Confidence

Manchester United are currently playing like a team with no confidence. Once Moyes has been at the club for a bit longer that confidence may return and results will probably improve. The players are the same ones that won the Premier League title last season, so they are not awful players.

David Moyes now needs a good run of form in the Premier League to give the players and fans a lift. If they do not then it could be a long season for United and their fans.

Written-off

Manchester United have been written-off so many times in the Premier League era, but always seem to bounce back. However, that was when Sir Alex Ferguson was at the helm. David Moyes’ Manchester United seems to be a far cry from Ferguson’s, even though most of the players are the same.

The manager of Manchester United may have changed, but surely that does not change the whole ethos of the club? Manchester United will always be Manchester United, but fans of the Red Devils may have to wait a long time for another period of Premier League dominance, as the current United squad is in need of renewal.

Confident

The bookmakers seem to be confident that United are not going to win the Premier League, as the reigning champions are now fifth favourites for the title at odds of 9/1. However, it just does not feel right writing-off United at this stage of the season.

It does not look good for United at the moment, but the way the season has gone anything could happen in the next thirty games. If history has taught us anything then it is write Manchester United off at your peril.

Can Manchester United be ruled out of the Premier League title race?