MANCHESTER UNITED have been enduring their most disappointing Premier League season EVER.
Under previous manager Erik ten Hag, United recorded their worst beginning to a domestic campaign as they managed a mere eight points out of their first seven matches in the English top flight.
That form saw the Dutchman finally put out of his Old Trafford misery.
United fans hailed the arrival of Ruben Amorim to replace Ten Hag at the beginning of November.
But, despite the initial optimism, things have hardly got any better for United.
And after just two wins in seven Prem games so far, Amorim has seen his new side stuck in their lowest-ever league position at Christmas, sitting 14th.
Worryingly, United’s 22 points from 18 games have them just just eight points above the relegation zone.
And it has started to bring back some bad memories from the 1973-74 season, which was when the Manchester giants were relegated from the First Division.
Of course, relegation this season feels like an almost impossible scenario, even though their counterparts from the 1970s also bore the stereotypical label of “too good to go down”.
Amorim’s success in Sporting Lisbon and the individual quality within the roster suggest that at some point the players will adopt the Portuguese tactician’s philosophy and tactics.
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Nevertheless, there are many similarities between the current team and the one that went down to the Second Division.
For starters, the 1974 team were relegated after losing their best player at the time and one of the greatest legends George Best, who played his last ever match on New Year’s Day.
Of course Marcus Rashford‘s career can’t be compared to that of Best, but the fallen England star is the closest thing to the team’s biggest star and has been enduring a phenomenal decline.
The forward is still part of Amorim’s squad but probably not for long after being left out of the team four times in a row.
Furthermore, the current team averages 1.2 points per game as opposed to the 0.76 of the 1973-74 side over a 42-game season.
However, back then clubs were awarded two points for a win and adjusting the figures to the modern-day system would leave Tommy Docherty’s side at a round point-per-game.
And that of course is not a big difference to Amorim’s current flops.
Nevertheless, there is one a major difference between the two Man Utd sides – and that is in terms of goals conceded.
Docherty’s team averaged fewer goals conceded per game than the current strugglers.
United are next in action on Monday against in-form Newcastle at Old Trafford after three consecutive losses across all competitions.
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S minority takeover at Manchester United was announced on Christmas Eve in 2023 – and a lot has happened at Old Trafford since…
December 2023 – Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old Trafford
January 2024 – Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington
January 2024 – Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO
February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed
February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin added
March 2024 – Ratcliffe bans words “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino” in bizarre move
March 2024 – Matt Johnson appointed head of women’s football
March 2024 – Ratcliffe announces plans to build “Wembley of the North” to replace Old Trafford
March 2024 – Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 – down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in December
April 2024 – Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled
April 2024 – John Murtough quits as football director
April 2024 – Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton
May 2024 – Ratcliffe turns Carrington “toxic” after sending email to employees slamming “disgraceful” lack of cleanliness
May 2024 – Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roof
May 2024 – Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish
May 2024 – Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy
May 2024 – Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticket
May 2024 – Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axed
May 2024 – Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of result
June 2024 – Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground
June 2024 – Ratcliffe introduces strict “back to work” policy forcing staff to come into office
June 2024 – Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women’s team
July 2024 – Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensation
July 2024 – Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026
July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher’s role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart.
July 2024 – Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment
July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board
July 2024 – Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125
July 2024 – Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex Wylie
August 2024 – Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window
August 2024 – Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toilet
October 2024 – Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex Ferguson
October 2024 – Staff Christmas party cancelled
October 2024 – “Back to work” policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matches
October 2024 – Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15m
November 2024 – Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up £10m release clause
November 2024 – Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim
November 2024 – Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings
November 2024 – Ratcliffe reportedly set to half £40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association
December 2024 – Ratcliffe admits “mediocre” Man Utd “still in last century”
December 2024 – Fans protest after OAP and children concessions tickets ditched and minimum home ticket cost up to £66
December 2024 – Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting director
December 2024 – £100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for £40 M&S voucher
December 2024 – Ceiling starts leaking during Ruben Amorim’s press conference after 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth
December 2024 – Reports of a mice infestation at Old Trafford as rodent droppings found in food kiosks and plush suites as food hygiene ratings drops to just two stars
December 2024 – SunSport reveals Ratcliffe cuts £40,000 funding donation to Association of Former Manchester United Players charity
