It’s an absolute nightmare at Manchester United right now. That’s the blunt assessment from the club’s latest manager, Ruben Amorim, who declared on Sunday that his underperforming team is “maybe the worst in the history of Manchester United.”
That’s quite a statement to make. After all, United is a powerhouse in English football, boasting a record 20 league titles and being one of the biggest sports teams and brands globally.
Let’s delve into the numbers behind Amorim’s bold claim, which came in the wake of a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Brighton:
13th – United’s current position in the 20-team Premier League after playing 21 out of 38 games. With just 26 points, they find themselves closer to the relegation zone than the European qualification spots. If things don’t improve, they are on track for their lowest finish in the Premier League era, having placed eighth last season.
24 – The staggering number of points that separate United from their arch-rivals and current Premier League leaders, Liverpool.
1893-94 – The last time United had a worse home form than what they are experiencing this season, according to Premier League statistician Opta. The team has suffered six defeats in their first 12 league games at Old Trafford.
7 – The number of losses United has endured in the 15 matches under Amorim’s management since he took over from Erik ten Hag in November.
20 – The impressive number of times United finished in the top two during Alex Ferguson’s tenure as manager from 1986 to 2013.
2 – The meager number of times United has managed to finish in the top two in the 11 seasons following Ferguson’s retirement. On both occasions, they settled for second place.
10th – Amorim is now the 10th manager, whether permanent or interim, appointed by United since Ferguson’s departure.
1974 – The last time United suffered relegation from the top division of English football. However, they bounced back the following season and have remained in the top flight ever since.
$6.55 billion – The jaw-dropping estimated value of Manchester United, according to Forbes. This places them 14th on Forbes’ list of the world’s most valuable sports teams in their most recent ranking.
The situation at Old Trafford is dire, and Amorim’s comments reflect the frustration and disappointment among fans and pundits alike. With such a storied history and immense resources, United’s current struggles are simply unacceptable. The club must find a way to turn things around and reclaim their former glory.
