It appears that Manchester United is experiencing one of its most challenging periods ever, according to their current manager, Ruben Amorim. On Sunday, he commented on his team’s significant underperformance, stating, “We are being the worst, maybe, in the history of Manchester United.” This assertion captures the depths of the club’s current struggles.
Manchester United is renowned for its rich history, having been crowned champions of England 20 times and being recognized worldwide as a premier sporting brand. Nevertheless, the club is now grappling with alarming statistics following a recent 3-1 defeat to Brighton, reflecting their current crisis.
Currently, Manchester United is positioned 13th in the 20-team Premier League after completing 22 games out of the 38 in the season. With only 26 points, they are perilously close to falling into the relegation zone, making this their projected lowest finish since the inception of the Premier League in 1992, surpassing last year’s eighth-place ending.
The club finds itself a staggering 24 points behind league leaders Liverpool, a traditional rival. This gap is a stark indicator of their struggles. Furthermore, according to data from Premier League analyst Opta, United’s home performance this season is notably poor, with six losses in their first 12 games at Old Trafford, a record not seen since the 1893-94 season.
Historically, since adopting the Manchester United name from Newton Heath in 1902, the club has spent 14 years outside of England’s top tier. In nearly 123 years of existence, they have never dropped below the second tier, with their longest absence from the top flight being five straight years in the 1930s.
The last time Manchester United faced relegation from the first division was in 1974, though they promptly secured promotion the very next season and have remained in the top-flight league since. Under Amorim’s leadership, the club has experienced seven losses in just 15 matches following his appointment in November to succeed Erik ten Hag.
During Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure from 1986 to 2013, Manchester United finished in the top two of the league 20 times over 26 seasons. However, since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, they have only achieved this feat twice, finishing in second place on both occasions. Amorim is the 10th individual to take on the managerial role since Ferguson’s departure, whether in a permanent or interim capacity.
From a financial perspective, Manchester United is valued at approximately $6.55 billion, placing them 14th on Forbes’ latest list of the world’s most valuable sports teams. These numbers collectively underscore the magnitude of the club’s current struggles and its implications for the future.
