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Manchester United spent longer at top of the Premier League this season than the last four campaigns combined… and here’s why

Jose Mourinho's Red Devils have sat atop the league for 27 days already, with their tight defence and super-subs the key

MANCHESTER UNITED have enjoyed a terrific start to the 2017-18 season, winning all three of their Premier League games.

After thumping both West Ham and Swansea 4-0, they battled past Leicester for a 2-0 victory to leave them top of the table.

 Manchester United have enjoyed a flying start to the 2017-18 season
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Manchester United have enjoyed a flying start to the 2017-18 seasonCredit: AFP
 Jose Mourinho's men have won all of their first three Premier League games
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Jose Mourinho's men have won all of their first three Premier League gamesCredit: Reuters

Three games, three wins, ten goals scored, none conceded... Jose Mourinho truly worked miracles over the summer.

In fact, just four weeks into the new season and United have already spent more days on top of the Premier League table than in the last FOUR seasons combined.

In fact, the tally of 16 days on top of the charts already pales in comparison to the 27 days they will have spent on top by the time their next games comes along.

Up until Saturday - when United take on Stoke at the bet365 Stadium at 5.30pm - the club will remain top of the standings.

However, they have a long way to go to match their record-ever season.

In fact, their best-ever season saw them spend a whopping 262 days atop the Premier League table.

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United have seen three seasons in total sitting top for at least 200 days, with a further five seasons with over 100 days on top.

But what's been the secret to United's early success?

For starters they've failed to concede, proving that building from the back can have it's successes.

In fact, going back to the end of last season, United have now gone 492 minutes - over eight hours - without shipping a goal.

 Man United have scored ten and conceded none in their opening three games
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Man United have scored ten and conceded none in their opening three gamesCredit: AFP
 Marcus Rashford scored from the bench in the 2-0 win over Leicester
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Marcus Rashford scored from the bench in the 2-0 win over LeicesterCredit: Reuters

The other bonus has been the impact of Mourinho's substitutions - with four goals of their ten coming from bench-men already this term.

Last season, United only scored six goals from subs all season, with the season before only seeing TWO goals from reserves.

The depth of Mourinho's squad will serve him well this season... particularly with the Champions League to contend with as well.



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