Erik ten Hag urgently needs to rediscover forgotten Manchester United trait

Once upon a time, the festive football fixtures were ones which Manchester United fans always relished.

Under Sir Alex Ferguson, Christmas was when we saw United push on their title charges and show their Premier League rivals they were still in a position to take up the fight into the New Year. The statistics back this up too.

No side has performed better than United in the top flight between Boxing Day and January 4. In this period, the Reds have picked up a whopping 199 points from 91 matches which averages out at more than two points per game (2.18).

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It is a remarkable record which has yet to be bested by any of their rivals but the average looks to be under serious jeopardy this season. Erik ten Hag may have led the Reds to three wins from three over Christmas last year, but he may need a miracle from Father Christmas to summon that form over the next week.

On Saturday, United looked like a shadow of the team which grabbed a point at Liverpool. While the tepid display in front of goal was mirrored on Merseyside and in the capital, the fighting spirit which was in abundance at Anfield deserted them against West Ham.

The Reds shied away from taking the game by the scruff of its neck and instead wilted as Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus secured the victory. Sadly for Ten Hag, as he looks for his team to bounce back, the opponents do not get any easier over Christmas.

Aston Villa are flying under Unai Emery ahead of their trip to Old Trafford while Nottingham Forest will be hoping for their new manager bounce to have kicked in by December 30. Of course, the history books point towards United being able to