Manchester United is staring down the barrel of its worst-ever Premier League season, needing to win seven of its remaining eight games just to match its lowest points tally in the modern era.
A Season to Forget
The 20-time English champions have struggled throughout the campaign, currently sitting on 37 points with only 24 more available. The club’s worst-ever Premier League points total of 58, recorded in the 2021-22 season, now looks like a distant target.
Following a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, head coach Ruben Amorim acknowledged the urgency of the situation.
“We have to get it right fast,” Amorim said.
To hit 58 points, United needs 21 more—meaning seven wins in eight games. But considering they haven’t managed back-to-back wins all season, that target appears improbable.
A Declining Record
Since taking over in November, Amorim has only won six of his 19 league matches, suffering nine defeats. United has lost 13 league games this season—just one shy of last year’s club-worst record of 14 losses.
Back in January, Amorim admitted this squad might be “the worst team in United’s history”, and results have continued to validate that statement.
Relegation is not a concern this season, but United seems destined for new lows. The club’s worst-ever Premier League finish was eighth under former manager Erik ten Hag last year. With Amorim’s side currently eight points adrift of eighth-place Fulham, even equaling that position appears unrealistic.
A Decade of Decline
United’s struggles have been ongoing since legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. His final season saw him win United’s 13th Premier League title in 20 years—no manager since has replicated his success.
Under Ferguson, United’s worst league finish was third. Now, over a decade later, they are battling to stay in the top half.
A Goal-Shy Attack
One of United’s biggest issues this season has been a lack of goals. Tuesday’s loss to Forest marked the 11th time they’ve failed to score in a league match.
In a desperate move, Amorim deployed center-back Harry Maguire as a makeshift striker in search of a late equalizer. Ironically, Maguire came closer than any other United player, with a stoppage-time effort cleared off the line.
“We deserved more in this game, that is clear, but it was our fault. We need to be better in the last third,” Amorim admitted.
Strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have struggled in front of goal, managing just eight and six goals respectively across all competitions. United has only scored 37 league goals this season and holds a negative goal difference of -4.
Despite the grim statistics, Amorim remains optimistic.
“I don’t lie to myself,” he said. “Everybody can say whatever they want to say, I see some things, but we need to win games.”
With time running out and history weighing against them, United faces a critical final stretch to salvage what remains of a disastrous campaign.