Is it the end of Manchester United's domination?

Moyes was appointed in the summer after Ferguson retired from football following 27 years in charge at Old Trafford, where he led the club to a long list of trophies. When Sir Alex Ferguson selected David Moyes as the man to succeed him at Manchester United, there was a sense that the reigning Premier League champions could continue to be the team to beat. But a side toiling after years of domination in the absence of a legend is nothing new.

The day Sir Alex Ferguson called time on his successful managerial career is one that Manchester United fans had long dreaded. On a forebodingly damp and grey afternoon last May, Sir Alex Ferguson bid farewell to Old Trafford with United as champions. "Your job now is to stand by our new manager. That is important."

The chosen one, handpicked by Ferguson, was Everton manager David Moyes. Fergie’s statement showed all the knowingness we had come to expect of him, his ability to say the right thing at the right time for the good of the club. The implication was: This is not going to be easy. And so it has proved.

In 1991, Manchester United finished sixth. It was to be the last time they would finish so low under Ferguson.

To the liking of most football fans in the country – especially Liverpool supporters – Manchester United are going through a rough time at the moment.

United have lost their last three games which have seen them go out of the FA Cup to Swansea, lose the first-leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final to Sunderland and slip to seventh in the Premier League with defeat to Spurs.

Alarm bells are ringing at Old Trafford with the recent run of poor results and Moyes is coming under intense pressure from supporters.

With number of injuries increasing, Van Persie’s absence is proving costly and with no early return Moyes faces pressure to buy well in the January transfer window.

The champions’ pathetic attempt at a title defence in 2013-14 has made it clearer than ever that Old Trafford needs to see a transformation in the middle of the park. They really are that bad. This title defence, barely worthy of the name, is the second worst in the history of the competition as it stands. It is difficult to pinpoint blame when the calamity and insipidity has been so widespread. Yet rather than attach it to a man sat in the stands, with no direct input on training or team selection this season, it would perhaps make more sense to look to the club’s current manager and his players. Neither, in large part, are good enough.

David Moyes may claim that the players he would like to sign are not available in January but he has exactly three weeks to find some that are. He needs two midfielders above all else. With no protection, no production and no penetration, the area between defence and attack has become a no-man’s-land for United.

The Red Devils’ need for a combative, energetic midfielder who can stop an opposition team in full flow has been apparent for far too long. Darren Fletcher, a player tenacious enough to fulfil the role to a large extent, sadly cannot yet be relied upon at the highest level given his long-term debilitating illness. Put simply, United do not have a midfielder who can win the ball and turn over possession.

I think it is far too early to imagine that their successful period is coming to an end, but there are warning signs similar to when Liverpool’s domination ended.