Danny Welbeck (R)
Danny Welbeck [Reuters] Reuters

Danny Welbeck says that he is unsure about the reasons behind Manchester United's woeful form this season.

The 22-year-old believes that the reigning Premier League champions have not lived up to their expectations and that the players are concerned about not acquiring a place in the Champions League next season.

United began 2014 by losing 1-2 to Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in the league on New Year's Day. This followed by elimination in the third round of the FA Cup at the hands of Swansea City at home by the same score line.

Sunderland piled more misery on David Moyes when they beat his side 2-1 at the Stadium of Light in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-finals.

"Losing three on the bounce is really not good enough and we want to put that right. I can't pinpoint one thing why this is happening. We were champions last season and we know that the consistency in our game has not been good enough," Welbeck explained.

Losing three on the bounce is really not good enough and we want to put that right. I can't pinpoint one thing why this is happening.
- Danny Welbeck

The Red Devils have already lost four matches at Old Trafford in the league this season, one more than what they suffered last campaign. United's form has been inconsistent under Moyes after suffering consecutive defeats at home, twice in just over a month.

Back-to-back losses to Everton and Newcastle United last December, ushered United to embark on a six game winning run in all competitions until the turn of the year.

United are currently seventh in the league table with 34 points after 20 matches, 11 points behind leaders Arsenal and five short of fourth placed Liverpool.

The England international stressed that the players will be as disappointed as the supporters if United miss out on Champions League football next season.

"I can understand why the fans are concerned. We're not around the Champions League spots at the moment," he added.

Welbeck is hoping that United will finally win their first game of the year when take on Swansea at home again in the league clash on Saturday.

"It was very disappointing to go out of the FA Cup against Swansea and we have to rectify that. The next match is the most important. It's Swansea and we have to get three points. We hope we will gather some momentum," the striker concluded.