Manchester United are risking Arsenal embarrassment after their latest poor performance

The afternoon of September 11 must feel like a world away now for Manchester United. To recap, that was the day Cristiano Ronaldo came home and scored twice. The sun was shining on Old Trafford, metaphorically and literally.

United beat Newcastle 4-1, had 10 points from 12 and a squad that looked capable of a title challenge. Elsewhere that day Arsenal beat Norwich 1-0 at the Emirates, a result noticeable for being their first three points and first goal of the season. It lifted them out of the relegation zone after four games but they had become an irrelevance to United fans, a source of comedy rather than concern.

There's not much to laugh about now. United's season since what has turned out to be its high point has lurched from the supine to the shambolic. Now they are in danger of what could be the final indignity, losing their place in the top four to an Arsenal team that they should clearly be superior to.

Since that day in September United have won just 37 points from 23 games. It's a desultory return for a squad with such obvious talent. Arsenal's squad under Mikel Arteta is younger and hungrier, if not as talented, as was proved at Old Trafford in November on a going day for United, when they won a fine game 3-2.

Despite that defeat Arsenal have won 42 points from 20 games in the same period and they now live just two points behind United with three games in hand. To every observer, they are now the obvious favourites to finish fourth and take the final place in the Champions League.

United could have few complaints if that did happen and perhaps it would finally put a rocket under these players who continue to play with a sense of entitlement their performances don't warrant. It's easy to fight fire with fire