What does Manchester United's great start mean?

Manchester United’s great start means nothing. And no club has proved that more than Alex Ferguson’s Devils. Usually United are a team that starts off slowly but by the time, the winter break comes around – they get their act together and romp through the rest of the season in style; style that usually sees them end the season with the title. But this time, they are off to their best start in 26 years – five wins out of five. However, in the greater scheme of things, what does that mean… for the team and the season as a whole? The last time United was off to a better start was in 1985 – they won the first ten games of the campaign under Ron Atkinson. By the time, November came around, United were a spectacular 13 wins after 15 games. But then the rot set in – they won only nine of the remaining 27 games as Liverpool came from behind to pip Everton and do the double. Actually, United don’t even need to look that far to press the ‘alert’ button. [caption id=“attachment_87218” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Manchester United’s Rooney has been in great touch. Reuters”] ![Manchester United's Rooney has been in great touch. Reuters](https://images.firstpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Rooney_reuters.jpg "Manchester United's Rooney has been in great touch. Reuters") [/caption] Just last season, they proved a great start doesn’t necessarily mean a brilliant finish. Chelsea won eight of their first 10 games, including back-to-back 6-0 victories in their first two matches and then they stuttered. They had peaked too early and by the time, the climax came around, they just didn’t have any thrust. This time, Manchester United needs to be mindful that they have a very young squad and it’s that much easier for them to lose track of their real goal. A great run of wins will perhaps make them lose sight of everything else including the chasing pack and that’s perhaps where the likes of Ryan Giggs and Ferguson will have to play a vital role. At this point, it might seem like it doesn’t matter who the manager is – Manchester United have been put together well, they can virtually score from every position and the infusion of youth has given them the legs to run with the best in the business, Barcelona included. But there will be a point soon, when their unbeaten run will come to an end. And then there will also be a time, when they will just struggle to link wins together. That’s when the young guns will search for answers and they might not come up with many. They will also need to figure out a way to pace themselves. It’s virtually impossible to run on full steam throughout the season. Manchester United’s hallmark over the years has been their tenacity and determination to win – it may have been ugly at times but as long as it was a tick in the wins column, it worked for Ferguson. Slideshow of teams which had some of the best starts in English football [fpgallery id=227] This team, at times, is beautiful and their roster runs deep. Some are names you haven’t heard of a lot before – Phil Jones, Ashley Young and David De Gea, Tom Cleverely, Danny Wellbeck, Johnny Evans, Chris Smalling – but before the season is through, these guys would have earned their keep. At least, that’s how it seems. After last season saw United earn miraculous victories, one after the other, it must be good to have such luxury. But Ferguson will know that the work is never done and now, more than ever, he will need to harp on it. Chelsea have aged, Manchester City are getting their act together and perhaps by November, they will achieve the balance they seek. Arsenal are struggling, Liverpool’s still an enigma. United are favourites and they know it – no one can say otherwise. But as history suggests, throwing away a good start isn’t difficult. Teams have done it in the past; great teams at that too. And that’s perhaps the thing that Ferguson will need to do the most: remind his team of failures to inspire them to greatness.

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What does Manchester United's great start mean?

Manchester United are off to their best start in 26 years but in the greater scheme of things, but history has taught us that throwing away a good start has never been tough.

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