Now that you mention it, I guess it is the norm. But still kinda annoying.
As to whether the club can afford to slip behind, I honestly don't know.
On the one hand, nobody expects him do as well as Alex Ferguson, but the pressure to win is still there, no? It was there even when Man Utd were doing poorly under alex ferguson.
As to the squad, one can if they want take a very dim view. A championship winning squad this may be, but it is still kinda shit.
One and a half strikers, some half decent midfielders + carrick; and a young fragile goal keeper, with an injury prone defence.
^^^ the above is a very negative view though. We have the best striker in the league, probably fighting the crown for best gk and defence. We have kagawa who really needs to push on. And lots of young red blooded talent in zaha and welbeck (probably more as an all round player, he is a shite finisher though) amongst others.