By Stuart Brennan

THE lessons of recent history are telling Manchester United that the Premiership revival has to start NOW if they are not to lose the title race again.

And Manchester United fans who feel they are having an attack of déjà vu can rest easy - the Reds HAVE been here before.

At this time of year in 1996, Fergie's team was being written off by the media and laughed at by the country's Red-haters as they slipped from humiliating defeat to damaging draw.

And they were in injury turmoil, with Roy Keane out until Christmas after surgery, Andy Cole returning from pneumonia only to have both legs broken by Neil Ruddock, and Fergie unable to field the same team in any two consecutive games.

United's autumn form had been a shambles.

They had been hammered 5-0 at Newcastle and 6-3 at Southampton, then beaten at home by Chelsea before losing their proud unbeaten home record in Europe to Fenerbahce.

The Reds were seventh in the league, facing a tough test in Europe and the conclusion to be drawn was blindingly obvious - the dynasty was coming to an end.

It is a particularly relevant comparison, because the Premiership record after 14 games was almost identical. Even the goal difference was the same.

What happened next in '96?

The Reds went on an amazing 16-game unbeaten run and only lost two more league games all season to clinch the title, and reach the European Cup semi-finals.

The revival began in November but was accelerated when Keane returned from his knee op in late December, from which point the Reds won 12, drew five and lost two of their remaining games.

Humiliations

This season, as opposed to hammerings at St James' and the Dell, the humiliations have come at the hands of Manchester City, Leeds and Bolton.

But the draws, in games where three points were there for the taking, have been almost as damaging - the two points dropped at West Ham on Sunday were added to similar leakages at Sunderland and Fulham and at home to Villa.

In '96 it was just the same, the Reds drawing at home to Everton and Blackburn, and away at Derby, Villa and Boro.

Of course, circumstances are now different - United's title success six years ago also relied on the fact that Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle blew chances to capitalise on the Reds' poor start to the season.

They were all too flabby and inconsistent to cash in, and once the Reds had re-discovered the winning habit, none could match the pace.

The 2002 United will find it very different - Arsenal have recovered from their recent dip in form, Liverpool are looking more likely to last the distance, and there are even signs that Chelsea may be emerging from their 30 years of slumber.

And, of course, in those days the United fans were still basking in the glory of the double Double, clinched just a few months earlier with a delightful Wembley defeat over the Scousers, courtesy of Eric Cantona's volley.

Fergie and his players have no such cushion this time around - the lack of silverware last time around only increases the discomfort felt by fans.

The manager has faith that his players can still turn this season around, and the return of Keane in the deep mid-winter will be a big help.

But, as in 1996, the players cannot wait for their inspirational skipper's return.

Now is the moment.

What is needed for the Reds to stage a revival show? Have your say

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