Despite some less than stellar performances since the start of the season, Manchester United currently occupy fourth place in the Premier League.
But is that position a false one? Or are things not perhaps as bad as a rogue 5-3 defeat at Leicester suggest they might be?
United’s first five opponents this term had an average league position last year of 17th – assigning the three promoted clubs 18th, 19th and 20th in the order they were promoted – a run of games which, statistically, offered the kindest start of Premier League clubs.
Reflecting on United’s position after seven matches, we see that theory has held true: the average points haul of their seven opponents so far is 7.4 – the joint-lowest, along with Crystal Palace. Undoubtedly, United should be fourth, arguably higher. But if their start was straightforward, at least on paper, Arsenal’s has been the opposite.
The current average points total of Arsenal’s first seven opponents is 11 – the highest in the division. Arsenal can take some comfort knowing their next seven opponents have averaged a much more reasonable 9.1 points. If Arsene Wenger can manage the injury crisis currently engulfing the Emirates, you would bet on Arsenal finding their groove ahead of the festive period.
At Old Trafford the storm clouds are gathering. If their campaign welcomed a fortunate start it appears the fixture list is about to fire back.
Games against Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal mean that their next seven opponents have averaged 10.9 points so far – a swing of 3.5 that highlights the upturn in quality of opposition set to face Louis van Gaal’s team. Only Sunderland can expect a potentially more challenging run, with their next seven matches against teams with an average of 11.3 points won.
While Van Gaal can expect a truer test of his credentials over the forthcoming fixtures, some other teams could be about to flourish. The average points haul of West Ham’s next seven opponents is just 7.7 – the lowest of any side. There may also be a glimmer of hope for Newcastle United supporters: Matches against Leicester City, West Bromwich Albion and QPR contribute to their next seven opponents having averaged just eight points at this juncture.
The Premier League table is starting to take shape and Manchester United may have stumbled their way in to the top four, but navigating the gauntlet of forthcoming fixtures and staying in the Champions League places will be one of Van Gaal’s toughest assignments.
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
The specs
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Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
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The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
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Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km
The specs
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Power: 480hp at 6,500rpm
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WHAT IS GRAPHENE?
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were experimenting with sticky tape and graphite, the material used as lead in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But when they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.
How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019
December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'
JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.
“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”
November 26: ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’
SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue.
SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."
October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'
MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.
“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December."
