Following Sunday’s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, coach Ruben Amorim is approaching a troubling milestone, echoing memories of Manchester United’s last relegation season, which has sparked anxiety among fans.
Manchester United’s 2024-25 season has been one of the most challenging in the Premier League era, beginning with the dismissal of Erik ten Hag. Despite the managerial change, Amorim has faced significant difficulties in reversing the club’s fortunes, and the recent loss has placed them perilously close to a negative milestone comparable to their last relegation season, heightening concerns among supporters.
The club’s winter transfer window brought only one new player—Patrick Dorgu—resulting in a lack of reinforcements to adapt to Amorim’s system, which flourished at Sporting Lisbon. His struggle to implement his vision has resulted in alarming outcomes, with the latest Premier League defeat against Tottenham marking a grim chapter in United’s season.
With the loss on Sunday, Manchester United has now recorded 12 defeats in their first 25 Premier League matches, the highest number of losses since the 1973-74 season, when they suffered 13 defeats. During that season, a 1-0 setback against Manchester City confirmed their relegation, marking the last occurrence of such a fate in the club’s history.
Despite the dismal performance, confidence remains low. In their last 12 matches, United has won only 3, drawn 1, and lost 8. The only teams with poorer records are Leicester City (9 losses) and Southampton (10 losses), both currently sitting in the relegation zone.
Amorim, when asked about the potential for Manchester United to be dragged into a relegation battle, candidly responded: “I think that it is a possibility. We have to be clear with our fans. It is also my fault. The team is not improving. It is a little bit lost at this moment, and it is a bit embarrassing to be Manchester United coach and lose a lot of games.”
Europa League and Avoiding Relegation: Manchester United’s Primary Objectives
Interestingly, the Europa League remains a vital target for Manchester United this season. They are the only team in both the Champions League and Europa League to progress to the next stage unbeaten.
In terms of relegation, the club is not in immediate peril. Over the past decade in the Premier League, the team finishing in 18th place—the last relegation spot—with the most points was Newcastle United, who collected 37 points from 38 games. Currently, Manchester United stands at 29 points from 25 games, maintaining a 12-point buffer over 18th-placed Ipswich Town.
Looking forward, Manchester United aims to secure a Europa League victory, which could qualify them for the Champions League and provide a financial upturn, while also striving to avoid further dropping points against lower-ranked teams.
