Manchester United’s Struggles: A Year to Forget
As the curtain falls on 2024, Manchester United finds itself in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable position. The club, once a dominant force in English football, has ended the year with its worst-ever Premier League calendar year points tally. This dismal record was cemented after a 2-0 home defeat against Newcastle United, leaving the Red Devils with just 51 points from January to December. It’s a stark reminder of the challenges the club has faced this year.
Ruben Amorim, who took over the reins from Erik ten Hag in November, has had a rocky start. With four wins and six losses in his 11 games in charge across all competitions, the team is now alarmingly closer to the Premier League relegation zone than to the coveted Champions League qualification spots. It’s a scenario that no United fan would have envisioned at the start of the year.
A December to Forget
December has been particularly harsh for Manchester United. The team suffered six losses in the month, a record not seen since September 1930. Moreover, they conceded 18 goals, matching a record from March 1964. These statistics paint a picture of a team struggling to find its footing, both defensively and offensively.
United’s overall points tally for the calendar year is their lowest since the Premier League’s inception in 1992-93. The previous low was set in 2022 when the team managed 59 points, marking the first time they failed to reach at least 60 points in a year of Premier League games. This year’s performance is a significant drop from even that low point.
Historical Parallels
The current run of form is eerily reminiscent of the struggles faced by Sir Alex Ferguson’s team in 1989, when they earned just 50 points throughout the year. Back then, United fans were vocal in their dissatisfaction, calling for Ferguson’s dismissal. Banners urging him to leave were a common sight at Old Trafford. However, history shows that Ferguson turned things around, winning his first major trophy for the club by lifting the FA Cup just six months later.
As United prepares to face league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, the team is grappling with a series of unwanted records. They have suffered five defeats in a month for the first time since 1962, and the loss to Newcastle marked their third successive home league defeat, a streak not seen since 1979.
Key Points to Consider
- Manchester United ended 2024 with their worst-ever Premier League calendar year points tally.
- Ruben Amorim has won four and lost six of his 11 games in charge.
- The team is closer to the relegation zone than to Champions League qualification spots.
- United’s six losses in December are their most since September 1930.
- The club’s overall points tally is their lowest since the Premier League began in 1992-93.
- United’s current form mirrors their struggles in 1989 under Sir Alex Ferguson.
- They face league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
As the year ends, Manchester United fans are left hoping for a turnaround similar to the one orchestrated by Ferguson decades ago. The challenges are immense, but the club’s history is filled with stories of resilience and triumph. Whether Amorim can replicate such a turnaround remains to be seen, but the journey will undoubtedly be closely watched by fans and critics alike.
Originally Written by: Mark Ogden
