Have Man Utd become a mid-table side? What the expected points say

Manchester United are lining up under their eighth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013. Michael Carrick was reportedly being considered for a fourth managerial change by the club's hierarchy after a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford following a poor start to the season. However, Carrick's role continues for now.

Sky Sports' expected points model takes into account the quality of the goal-scoring chances a team creates and concedes in each match. According to this model, United have collected 669 points in the Premier League over the last ten years, which is the fifth highest total in the league. However, the model shows that the team was expected to take 613 points. In other words, the club has won 56 points more than expected.

This picture raises questions about the team's true level. Clinical finishing, good goalkeeping, opponents' wastefulness and luck could explain these extra points. Carrick is the manager who has most consistently exceeded expectations at United recently. During his tenure he has averaged 1.85 points per match, while the expected average was 1.37 points.

Carrick's success last season raised expectations. The manager who took the team from seventh place to third in a matter of months has prompted the question of what they could achieve over a full season. However, the data shows that United are three points below expectation this season.