Breaking down Manchester United’s worst-ever Premier League season

Manchester United’s sloppy season under Erik Ten Hag in 8^th position has just exposed the wounds of the sleeping giant.

Even though, the Red Devils won 2-0 against Brighton & Hove Albion, the miseries of the past cannot be forgotten. Perhaps the only sweet note would be the victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final this coming Saturday. But too many corrections should be made in terms of defending, finishing, and gameplay, if there are even the slightest hopes of challenging their noisy neighbors in Wembley.

Here are the season figures across United’s domestic and European ventures:

Goals on either end

A negative goal difference for the first time in Manchester United since finishing with minus-1 in the 1989–90 top-flight season.

First ever double loss to the Eagles

Crystal Palace recorded their first-ever league double over Manchester United this season, winning 1-0 and, 4-0 respectively.

Fat-check for mediocre Brazillian

The €100 million signing, Antony, sent shock waves in 2022 and had only two goal contributions (one goal and one assist) over the Premier League campaign. The winger’s only highlight on-pitch moment this term was his widely mocked celebration against League Two’s Newport County in the FA Cup.

Not so united

The Red Devils finished their worst-ever Premier League season in eighth, one spot lower than the unmemorable David Moyes season of 2013-14.

Leaky back line

Manchester United’s defence allowed three or more goals in eight matches over the 2023-24 Premier League campaign and across all competitions the number stands at 14.

Theatre of Dreams no more

United Fortress crumbled with nine home defeats in a campaign. This total matches the 1930–31, 1933–34, 1962–63, and 1973–74 seasons.

Attacking misery

Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund managed only 10 goals each in England’s top flight. This makes them United’s least prolific top scorer(s) in the Premier League, with Wayne Rooney (2004-05) and Anthony Martial (2015-16) both finishing at 11.

No way home

Manchester United recorded the most defeats in a Premier League season in the most catastrophic way possible, making it fourteen league defeats just behind the 1989–90 campaign (16).

Finding his feet

Hojlund had a 14-game drought to begin life among England’s elite, and the duck was finally broken with a match-winning goal against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

European troubles

United didn’t find any relief in Europe as well, conceding 15 goals in the Champions League group games, which is the most for a Premier League team in that stage.

Old Trafford gives way to the Cottagers

97th-minute finish from Alex Iwobi at Old Trafford in February ended an 18-game winless streak for Fulham against Manchester United.

Manchester United has 19 defeats in all competitions. They haven’t registered so many defeats in a single season since the 1977-78 term.

Cutting down the celebrations

United scored only 57 Premier League goals, matching their 2021-22 campaign, their third-worst after 49 in 2015-16 and 54 in 2016-17.

Choking Manchester

The 20-time English champions have never conceded this many goals in the Premier League era. Thereby, overtaking the previous record of 57 in the 2021–22 season.

Free pass for opponents

Ten Hag’s team allowed a whopping 360 shots in the defensive area in 2024. That’s more than any other Premier League side this term.

Starting trouble

Manchester United lost five times in their opening 10 home matches in all competitions, marking their worst record on their own turf since the 1930–31 season.

Everything comes in threes

For the first time, Ten Hag’s men conceded three or more goals in three consecutive games (against Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Bayern Munich) since 1978.

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