Manchester United are blaming their sudden form slide on the colour of Edwin van der Sar's goalkeeper's jersey! The Sun says the champions have been alerted to the fact they have a far better record when the Dutch keeper wears yellow as opposed to blue.

Van der Sar has worn blue in United's last two Premier League games, which have seen them beaten 4-1 by Liverpool and 2-0 by Fulham.

Now United could turn to their vision expert, who was first employed following the infamous grey-shirt debacle at Southampton in 1996.

Research by a contributor to United fanzine Red News has brought the information to the club's attention.

It reveals Van der Sar has worn yellow in the league 17 times this season.

In those games, United have conceded just four - with a goal difference of plus 21 - winning 12, losing one and drawing four, gaining 40 points from a possible 51.

However, the figures take on a different hue when Van der Sar wears blue.

In 10 games, United have conceded 13 for a goal difference of plus seven, winning six, losing three and drawing one - 19 points from 30.

Ben Foster also wore yellow when he performed heroics as United won the Carling Cup on spot-kicks against Spurs.

United leave nothing to chance in these situations, which is why they employ optometrist Gayle Stephenson.

She contacted the club back in the 1995-96 season after United were beaten at Southampton.

They had worn grey shirts in the first half and went 3-0 down. United swapped them at the break because the players said they could not pick each other out.

They did not concede again even though they lost 3-1.