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Top 10 worst Man United team in football history
Manchester United, one of the greatest football clubs in the world, has had many memorable seasons with both victories and failures. Each season of the Red Devils brings with it stories, from moments of resounding victory to disappointments. In this article, Kingsoccertips.com will look back at the top 10 worst Man United team, each season brings its own unique marks, reflecting the changes of the team through each period.
Top 10 worst Man United team
Top 10: 2021/22 season
- Managers: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick, Ralf Rangnick
- League standings: 6th (58 points)
- FA Cup: Round 4
- League Cup: Round 3
- UEFA Champions League: Round of 16
Manchester United’s 2021/22 season has been one of the most disappointing in the club’s history. Despite boasting a star-studded squad that included Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and other great players, the Red Devils have failed to maintain the consistency needed to compete in major competitions. The season started with high expectations, but under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the team quickly fell into crisis after consecutive defeats. In November, after a series of unacceptable results, Solskjaer was sacked and Michael Carrick took temporary charge, but the situation has not improved.
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Ralf Rangnick, who was appointed as interim manager in December, brought hope with tactical and style changes. However, Rangnick could not revive the team, and United finished the season in 6th place, 13 points behind the 4th-placed team, too far away to qualify for the Champions League next season. The cup competitions were also disappointing. United were eliminated early in the FA Cup and the League Cup, while the Champions League also ended with a defeat in the round of 16 against Atletico Madrid. It was a trophyless season for Manchester United, and fans began to question the future of the team.
Top 9: 2024/25 season
- Managers: Erik ten Hag, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ruben Amorim
- League Standings: 13th (26 points)
- FA Cup: Round 4
- League Cup: Round 5
- Community Shield: Runners-up
- UEFA Europa League: League Stage
The 2024/25 season has seen a serious decline in form for Manchester United under Ruben Amorim. Despite major changes in personnel and tactics, the results on the pitch have not been as expected. With 26 points after 17 matches, the Red Devils are currently 13th in the Premier League table, an unacceptable position for a big club like Manchester United. This performance clearly reflects the lack of stability in the squad and playing style, as Manchester United often drop points in important matches. Despite tactical changes under Amorim, the team still seems unable to bring the necessary cohesion and solidity.
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In addition, cup competitions have not been able to save the situation. The Red Devils were eliminated from the FA Cup in the fourth round and did not go far in the League Cup, where they were eliminated in the fifth round. Meanwhile, Manchester United’s participation in the UEFA Europa League has been limited to the group stage, as the team failed to overcome major challenges in the knockout stages. Although there is still a chance to regain form, the team has faced many difficulties in finding a stable and winning style of play. The current situation is very gloomy and without a drastic improvement, this season could end without any trophies.
Top 8: 1988/89 season
- Manager: Alex Ferguson
- League finish: 11th (51 points)
- FA Cup: Round 6
- League Cup: Round 3
- Century Cup: Runners-up
The 1988/89 season was a year to forget for Manchester United and manager Alex Ferguson, who had just begun rebuilding the club after moving to Old Trafford. After a promising 1987/88 season in which he finished 2nd in the table, United entered the season in very poor form. The club was very inconsistent and could not compete with the big teams in the league. At some points during the season, Manchester United were in the relegation zone and were only lucky to avoid relegation. This caused fans to start worrying about Ferguson’s ability and his ability to rebuild Manchester United.
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Despite the positive signs towards the end of the season, Manchester United still only finished 11th, with 51 points from 38 games. However, this season was also a turning point for Ferguson, as he began to make major changes to his squad and tactics. Although there was no great success in cup competitions, with United being eliminated in the third round of the League Cup and the sixth round of the FA Cup, this season laid the foundation for Ferguson’s later progress. In fact, this was the period when the team began to look back at their internal problems and prepare for a successful era.
Top 7: 1972/73 season
- Managers: Frank O’Farrell, Tommy Docherty
- League ranking: 18th
- FA Cup: Round 3
- League Cup: Round 3
The 1972/73 season was one of the worst in Manchester United’s history. The club faced a serious crisis, not only in terms of results but also in terms of personnel and tactics. Under the guidance of manager Frank O’Farrell, United had only won 18 points after the first 16 games of the season and were facing the threat of relegation. Despite the team’s efforts to improve their performance, they were still unable to win the necessary matches. O’Farrell was sacked in December, and Tommy Docherty was appointed as his replacement. Despite the change of manager, the situation did not improve and Manchester United only finished 18th in the table, an unacceptable result for a club as big as United.
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This season also saw United eliminated early from both major cup competitions: the FA Cup and the League Cup, when the team was eliminated in the third round. Instability in the squad and tactics was the main reason for Manchester United’s failure this season. While not the worst season in the club’s history, it was a disappointing one for fans, as they witnessed the decline of a club that had long been regarded as a symbol of success.
Top 6: 2004/05 season
- Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
- League standings: 3rd (88 points)
- FA Cup: Round 5
- League Cup: Winners
- UEFA Champions League: Round of 16
Manchester United’s 2004/05 season was marked by disappointment in terms of results, with the Red Devils finishing 3rd in the Premier League. Despite not winning the title, Sir Alex Ferguson still led the team to some success. In particular, the team won the League Cup after beating Wigan Athletic 4-0 in the final, a victory that helped to ease the frustration of fans. However, Manchester United could not compete with Chelsea and Arsenal in the title race. The league table this season clearly reflected the inability to maintain a consistent performance throughout the season.
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In the FA Cup, the Red Devils were eliminated in the 5th round, which further increased the disappointment among fans. One of the important factors that prevented United from winning a major trophy was the lack of bright stars and unsuccessful transfer decisions in the previous summer. The team lacked the necessary creativity and quality in important matches, and the instability of the players also prevented Manchester United from completing the goal of winning the Premier League and Europe. However, the 2004/05 season was also a turning point in the process of rebuilding the team after the previous season the team did not win any titles.
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Top 5: 2001/02 season
- Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
- League standings: 3rd (80 points)
- FA Cup: Winners
- League Cup: Round 3
- UEFA Champions League: Group stage
The 2001/02 season was a successful year on the cup front but disappointing in the Premier League for Manchester United. Under Sir Alex Ferguson, the team won the FA Cup after a 3-0 win over Arsenal in the final. However, the team failed to challenge for the Premier League title and finished the season in 3rd place with 80 points, behind Arsenal and Liverpool. United were unable to maintain consistency throughout the season and missed out on the chance to win the double, despite showing strong form in the early stages of the season.
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The season also saw failure in the UEFA Champions League. Manchester United were eliminated in the group stage after a poor run in Europe, highlighting the gap between United and the top teams in Europe at the time. Despite some impressive results in the league and FA Cup, the team failed to maintain their momentum and were left without a major trophy this season. Failure to win the Premier League disappointed fans, although United continued to dominate domestic competitions in the following seasons.
Top 4: 2013/14 season
- Manager: David Moyes
- League standings: 7th (64 points)
- FA Cup: Round 3
- League Cup: Round 4
- UEFA Champions League: Round of 16
The 2013/14 season was a year to forget for Manchester United, especially under the management of David Moyes, who was chosen to replace Sir Alex Ferguson. Despite high expectations from the fans, Moyes failed to live up to the expectations and the team floundered throughout the season. United finished the season in 7th place, a disastrous result for the team, as they only managed 64 points and failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. This was the first time in 19 years that Manchester United had not been in European competition, leaving fans extremely disappointed.
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In addition, United also suffered early exits from both the FA Cup and the League Cup, being eliminated in the third and fourth rounds. Along with a decline in form in the Premier League, this was a season of crisis for Manchester United. In just one season, the team not only suffered a decline in form but also faced the task of finding a new manager after Moyes was sacked at the end of the season. This was a season that fans remembered as a sad milestone in the club’s history.
Top 3: 1995/96 season
- Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
- League standings: 1st (82 points)
- FA Cup: Winners
- League Cup: Round 3
- UEFA Champions League: Round 8
The 1995/96 season was a special one for Manchester United, with a strong comeback after failing to win any trophies the previous season. Sir Alex Ferguson rebuilt the team with outstanding new signings such as Eric Cantona, Nicky Butt, and a number of other young talents. United convincingly won the Premier League with 82 points, 6 points ahead of the runners-up. However, the season was not perfect, with United being knocked out of the League Cup in the third round and having some disappointing matches this season.
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Although they could not win the treble, Manchester United won the FA Cup after a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the final. This victory further cemented Sir Alex Ferguson’s reputation and the maturity of the team. In addition, the team also stopped in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, despite their excellent performances in Europe. The 1995/96 season was a confirmation for Ferguson’s team and marked the strong development of Manchester United in the late 1990s.
Top 2: 1973/74 season
- Manager: Tommy Docherty
- League finish: 21 (32 points)
- FA Cup: 4th round
- League Cup: 2nd round
The 1973/74 season was one of the darkest in Manchester United’s history. After being relegated for the first time in the club’s history in 1974, United faced unimaginable hardship. Despite a squad packed with quality players, the Red Devils could not prevent the decline and finished the season in 21st place in the table, with just 32 points from 42 games. Under manager Tommy Docherty, the team won just nine games all season, a record far below what fans had hoped for.
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The worst story of the season was the relegation to the Second Division, for the first time in decades. This was a real shock to the club and its fans, especially considering how great Manchester United had been. One of the worst moments of the season was when Denis Law, a club legend, scored against Manchester United in a match between the Red Devils and Manchester City. That goal sealed the fate of the club, marking one of the darkest seasons in Manchester United’s history.
Top 1: 1930/31 season
- Managers: Herbert Bamlett, Walter Crickmer
- League standings: 22 (22 points)
- FA Cup: 4th round
The 1930/31 season was perhaps the worst in Manchester United’s history. This was a season in which the team faced a series of irreparable defeats and ended with the lowest win percentage in the club’s history. They won just seven games all season, a dismal 16.7% win rate. To make matters worse, Herbert Bamlett and Walter Crickmer’s side conceded a staggering 115 goals, a staggering number when compared to other sides in the league.
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Sadly, this season was not only a failure in terms of results, but also a sad moment in the club’s history as United were relegated. They finished bottom of the league and were relegated for the first time in their history. Although Thomas Reid scored 20 goals that season, he alone could not save the situation. This was a season when Manchester United suffered a steep decline, with a run of 12 consecutive defeats, including a 7-0 defeat to Aston Villa, the heaviest defeat in the club’s history.
Conclusion
Every season of Manchester United is an indispensable part of the club’s development history. Great achievements as well as the worst Man United team that are unforgettable all contribute to the lasting legacy that the Red Devils have and continue to build. Although not every season is successful, all have an important meaning in the process of building the team. Hopefully in the coming years, Manchester United will continue to conquer new heights and add to the list of successful seasons, to be worthy of the position of one of the leading football clubs in the world.