Manchester United roundup: mid-table after three games, Fernandes in form and City next at Old Trafford

Three games into the new Premier League season, Manchester United find themselves mid-table with work to do — and a derby at Old Trafford to sharpen the focus this weekend.

Where United stand

According to the Premier League table, United sit 11th with four points from a possible nine: one win, one draw and one defeat. They have scored seven goals and conceded six, for a goal difference of plus one, and their form line reads DWL.

The gap to the top already stands at five points. Manchester City and Arsenal both hold maximum points from three games, Chelsea are fourth on six, and United are level with Brighton & Hove Albion in 10th, separated only by goal difference.

The story so far

United's three results to date:

• Everton 2-2 Manchester United
• Manchester United 5-2 Ipswich Town
• Hull City 2-0 Manchester United

The 5-2 home win over Ipswich Town showcased the attacking quality in this side, but six goals conceded across three matches has held them back — and the defeat came against a Hull City side who, according to the Premier League table, sit third and are yet to concede a goal this season.

Who is scoring

United's leading scorers this season, according to the Premier League's scoring data:

• B. Fernandes — 3 goals
• B. Mbeumo — 2 goals
• B. Sesko — 1 goal

BBC Sport's coverage has highlighted the different threat posed by Sesko in recent days, and the broadcaster has also examined whether Dorgu is the answer at left-back — a debate supporters will be following closely.

Fans and off-field news

FanTribe's own fan data shows 56 supporters currently follow Manchester United on the platform. Meanwhile, according to BBC Sport, the club has banned 685 fan accounts following a ticket-touting probe. BBC Sport has also carried coverage of United's midweek Champions League return against Sabah, with European football back on the agenda at Old Trafford.

Next up: the derby

Manchester City arrive at Old Trafford on Sunday, 13 September, and bookmaker odds via api_football make the visitors favourites at 2.1 — a bookmaker-derived implied probability of 46%. United are priced at 3.22 (30% implied), with the draw at 3.9 (24% implied).

For FanTribe predictors, the points on offer are 64 for a United win, 78 for a draw and 42 for a City win — the draw carries the biggest reward.

A week later, on Sunday, 20 September, United travel to Craven Cottage to face a Fulham side still searching for their first point, according to the Premier League table. There, the market makes United favourites at 2 (47% implied), with Fulham at 3.44 (28% implied) and the draw at 3.76 (25% implied). FanTribe points on offer: 69 for the home win, 75 for the draw and 40 for a United victory.

With Fernandes among the goals, a European campaign under way and the league leaders visiting Old Trafford this weekend, the next seven days should tell us plenty about where this United side really stands.