Robin van Persie says that his own form has not been good enough as Manchester United have recorded their worst start to a season since 1986.
Van Persie finished his debut season in Manchester as the Premier League's top scorer with 26 goals as United won their 20th title, but has netted only three in nine games so far as Dutch compatriot Louis van Gaal arrived this summer.
He managed 12 in the league under David Moyes during an injury-hit campaign last season, but knows that his standards have not been met this year either.
"Three goals in nine games is not enough," he told Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant on Friday. "Against Chelsea I had a nice chance and I had three options: chip it, go round the keeper or just [shoot] straight at the goal. I chose the last and safest. If I wouldn't have thought it over I would just chip it. I just have to trust again in my intuition."
The 31-year-old, however, believes that United just have to get used to a new way of life. "We train more and more intensely than in previous years. We have to get used to that."
Last year Rio Ferdinand revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to retire after 27 years at Old Trafford "took the wind out of everyone's sails" but "the person it hit more than anyone was Robin" and Van Persie admitted that he has not really got over the exit of the man he left Arsenal to train under in August 2012.
"Rio is a great guy. He talks a lot but there is some truth in that," he added. "My decision to come to Manchester was partly because of the presence of Ferguson, or excuse me, Sir Alex. And he told me he'd stay for another three years. I enjoyed his approach.
"We were once 18 points clear of City but we lost at home 2-1. We were still 15 points ahead but he was furious. Then I realised: he's a winner."