Problems at Reds are clear for all to see...

RICHARD Arnold skulked down the gangway and approached the Newcastle United director Amanda Staveley to offer her a congratulatory handshake at full-time.

- SAMUEL LUCKHURST

Staveley was hugging and kissing fellow attendants in the guest section of the directors' box. This was only Newcastle's second win at Old Trafford since 1972 and almost a decade on from the last.

The result that day in December 2013 also marked a second successive home defeat for the Reds. Two days later, the club's Twitter account posted the following: "David Moyes says #mufc must improve in a number of areas, including passing, creating chances and defending."

 

It is a timeless tweet, retweeted 18,000 times and liked by 12,000 users. The current United side has gone so far backwards they are morphing into the Moyes tweet.

United's regression is so stark it is not difficult to dissect. Their preparation for this season was misguided, dicey and they are still operating identically to the Ed Woodward error, doling out contracts that have left players demotivated and incapable of shifting expensive mistakes.

Here is why and where it has gone wrong:

MIDFIELD MALAISE

Casemiro and Mason Mount is a midfield mismatch. Mount, a £60m recruit from Chelsea, is not even an out-and-out midfielder.

The 24-year-old primarily occupied an advanced role at Chelsea and is an aggressive presser, renowned for his work ethic off the ball. That doggedness has been RACING RESULTS noticeable but it has also left Casemiro isolated and he is performing how many feared he would after United signed the Brazilian for a fee rising to £70m.

Last season, Casemiro was so influential he was the difference between a successful and average season for the Reds. He also had the benefit of starting almost every game alongside Christian Eriksen or Fred. Eriksen United's reg so stark it is to dis Samuel L the assumed deep-lying role with such ease that the defensive-minded Casemiro had a license to venture forward.