We have now reached the half-way point of the Premier League campaign, a season that has so far thrown up some memorable moments — and a few forgettable ones — for Manchester United.
It’s fair to say the club are not where fans wished they would be at the beginning of the season, currently languishing in seventh on the back of a dismal defeat to Wolves on Monday.
United are four points off a Champions League position, albeit they do have a game in hand over fourth-place Arsenal.
However, supporters and pundits alike thought the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo would see the club challenge in the upper echelons of the table after finishing second last year.
Instead, United are some 22 points off leaders Manchester City (having played two games fewer than their arch-rivals) and have seen Ole Gunnar Solskjaer be replaced by interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
Several leading pundits made their predictions for the 2021/22 season prior to United’s 5-1 opening day win over Leeds — and some now look more accurate than others.
Gary Neville forecast that his former club would come third in the table, with Jamie Carragher concurring United would earn a top four spot, albeit in fourth.
Speaking on Sky Sports back in August, the former Liverpool defender explained how he thought the Old Trafford outfit would be below par this season, saying: "I actually think United have got a squad capable of really challenging, really pushing for the title.
"You've [Gary Neville] said they'll finish third, I've said they'll finish fourth. I think that's underachieving with the squad they've got."
Meanwhile, ex-City title winner Micah Richards also believed United would finish fourth.
Indeed, all 20 BBC Sport pundits who submitted 2021/22 predictions thought United would qualify for next season’s Champions League.
But only Nedum Onouha and former England women footballer Lindsay Johnson thought United would claim a top-two finish.
Former United star Dimitar Berbatov labelled the club as contenders for the title, even before the arrival of Ronaldo.
Owen Hargreaves concurred with Berbatov and said: "For the first time since Sir Alex [Ferguson] was there, I think they have a team to win the Premier League. I genuinely think they have a fighting chance to win it, Ronaldo is the icing on the cake."
Paul Merson also backed United to challenge for the crown in a four-way race with City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
United fans would now be delighted if their side could finish in the top four.
Rangnick’s side host Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Monday before then travelling to Villa Park for a league game five days later.
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