Manchester United fans didn’t expect to win the Premier League this season, but what would be considered the minimum acceptable for England’s biggest club as they rebuild under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer? What would be enough to keep the manager in his job?



In April 2014, David Moyes was sacked after 10 months, with the team seventh in the table and having failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 1995-96. Moyes maintained he was told he would get time — six years, no less — and that he needed it. Jose Mourinho said it was fair to judge him after three years, but has admitted he deserved to be sacked after two and a half.



Sunday’s limp display at West Ham rekindled the fury that surrounds every United defeat. In Sir Alex Ferguson’s time it followed every draw too, but as the club have slipped from the top perch it occupied for two decades, so have expectations.



In the immediate post-Ferguson...