Worrying stats and Ten Hag's crumbs of comfort

United have lost eight of their first 15 games, including five out of 10 at

home. Only once before in their history, way back in 1930-31, have United lost five of their first 10 home games in all competitions.

Manchester City, in the Premier League, and Newcastle in the Carabao Cup have inflicted back-to-back three-goal home defeats - the first time United have suffered that fate since 1962.

Last season Ten Hag's side only lost two home games in total - to Brighton in the league and Real Sociedad in the Europa League.

A more encouraging omen is that both of those came before the middle of September, with Ten Hag able to then turn the ship around with a 32-game unbeaten home run to the end of the season which included 13 straight wins from 19 October to 4 February.

Their average points per game stands at 1.5, lower than it has been for any full Premier League season - they are on track for 57 points at that rate, one fewer than their lowest Premier League total when they finished sixth in 2021-22.

There are five occasions when they have lost fewer than their current five games over an entire Premier League season.

Their worst goal difference at any stage of a Premier League season is minus-six, after they lost 6-1 to Tottenham in their third game of the 2020-21 season. They are currently only one goal better off, meaning defeat to Fulham would see them at least match that low point.