The 2024-25 season has been a challenging period for Manchester United, with the team struggling to find form and consistency. Manager Ruben Amorim, who took charge in November, has faced an uphill battle to restore stability and confidence in a squad that has been underwhelming for much of the campaign. His candid admission that the team might be the worst in the club’s history has only amplified concerns among fans and pundits alike.
This isn’t the first time United have faced such crises. The 1930-31 season stands out as a particularly grim chapter in the club’s history. That year, United finished last in the First Division, winning just seven games and conceding an astonishing 115 goals. The club’s financial troubles, compounded by the death of owner John Henry Davies in 1927, left them ill-equipped to compete. With dwindling attendances and an atmosphere of despair, the team was relegated and spent the following seasons fighting to avoid further demotion.
The 1961-62 season also marked a low point, as the aftermath of the 1958 Munich Disaster continued to haunt the club. Manager Matt Busby, still recovering from the tragedy, struggled to adapt to modern tactics, and the team finished 15th in the league. Internal discord and the erosion of player morale further highlighted the challenges of rebuilding a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
The 1973-74 season brought another nadir, with United relegated to the Second Division just six years after winning the European Cup. The departure of key players like George Best, Bobby Charlton, and Denis Law left a void that the club struggled to fill. Manager Tommy Docherty’s attempts to instill discipline and attacking football were undermined by poor results, and the team became a shadow of its former self.
The mid-1980s saw United endure further turmoil. Despite initial promise under Ron Atkinson, the 1986-87 season unraveled rapidly. After a strong start the previous year, injuries and poor form led to a disastrous run of results. Atkinson’s sacking in November 1986 paved the way for Alex Ferguson’s arrival, but even he faced significant challenges in his early years, including a disappointing 11th-place finish in 1988-89.
Fast forward to the present, and Amorim’s tenure has been marked by a mix of highs and lows. While victories over Manchester City and Arsenal and a draw against Liverpool have showcased his tactical acumen, losses to teams like Brighton and Bournemouth have exposed the squad’s vulnerabilities. The ongoing exile of Marcus Rashford, reminiscent of George Best’s situation in the 1970s, has further highlighted the fractures within the team.
Relegation, once unthinkable for a club of United’s stature, looms as a possibility, though the struggles of other teams like Southampton and Leicester may provide some reprieve. The lack of significant investment under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership has added to the sense of uncertainty. With the squad’s composition and morale under scrutiny, the path to recovery appears longer and more arduous than ever before.
Despite these challenges, there are glimmers of hope. Players like Amad Diallo have shown flashes of brilliance, and Amorim’s ability to devise effective counterattacking strategies against top teams suggests there is potential for improvement. However, realizing that potential will require not only tactical adjustments but also a cultural reset to restore the unity and ambition that once defined Manchester United.
