Though Manchester United entered the 2013-2014 campaign with a high level of optimism after claiming another Premier League championship last year, the Red Devils haven't been able to reach the top of the competitive English league despite already participating in 15 matches. Currently sitting ninth in the twenty-club table, Man U continues to look for answers and even though minimal changes were made to the championship team coming into the season, fans of the English giants are beginning to worry about the club's chances of a repeat performance.
Even with the struggles in the Premier League - including Man U dropping its last two contests at Old Trafford - the Red Devils remain in good form in the UEFA Champions League. Currently pacing Group A with 11 points, United owns a three-point lead over Shakhtar Donetsk, a team they'll see next on the schedule. Earning three wins and two draws in five UCL contests, the Red Devils have played strong up to this point and even though the club hasn't dropped a match thus far, the concerns still hover over the team regarding its recent play in the Premier League. Hoping to get back on track after two-straight losses, first-year coach David Moyes expects a better effort from his club but takes full responsibility for the struggles.
"I take complete responsibility for the results," Moyes, who hopes to help Man U avoid its first three-game losing skid at home since 1962, said recently. "It is tough because the expectancy is to win all the games and the results have not been good in the Premier League. There is a bit of everything we could do with doing better. Generally we'd like to play better. We would like to pass it better, to create more chances, I'd like to defend better when those moments arise. I don't think it is any one thing, it is all round we are trying to improve."
Sitting second in Group A, Shakhtar and midfielder Fernando hope to earn an impressive victory at Old Trafford after drawing with Man U in October. Needing a complete effort to hand United what would be an unexpected three-game skid on their home grounds, Fernando feels confident with the way his team is playing entering the UCL contest.
"Myself and the other players have been reviewing all the matches of our future opponents," he said. "Manchester United are a very strong team. We must be 100 percent concentrated. We are in a good place and we have to start like we normally do at the Donbass Arena. The most important thing is to attack from the start. If we do that we will achieve a victory."
Manchester United vs. Shakhtar Donetsk: DATE, TIME & TV INFO
DATE: Tuesday, December 10
TIME: 2:45pm, ET
TV COVERAGE: FOX Sports 1
LIVE STREAM: CLICK HERE
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