Inside the collapse of Man Utd's season set to be the worst in the Premier League era

Despite sporadic bright moments—such as a win over Manchester City, a draw at Anfield, and an FA Cup victory over Arsenal, Manchester United find themselves in their worst-ever Premier League season.

Under Ruben Amorim, the club has won just four of 14 league games, with their 29 points from 25 matches marking a historic low at this stage of the campaign.

Amorim’s 43% win rate in his first 21 games is the worst of any United manager post-Sir Alex Ferguson.

Amorim’s preference was to join United in the summer, giving him a full pre-season and a chance to shape the squad through recruitment. However, United’s new CEO Omar Berrada gave him an ultimatum: now or never.

As a result, Amorim inherited a squad ill-suited to his tactical philosophy, a fractured dressing room, and a club in financial disarray.

United’s goal tally is on course to be their worst ever, with the team averaging just 1.12 goals per game. If that trend continues, they will finish the season with 44 league goals—13 fewer than their lowest-ever Premier League total.

United’s off-field decision-making has been just as chaotic as their on-field performances.

The club spent months aggressively pursuing Dan Ashworth, paying £3m to lure him from Newcastle, only to sack him after five months, costing another £4.1m.

Erik ten Hag was first undermined by United engaging with other managers, then given £200m in transfers, before being dismissed three months into the season, with his departure costing another £10.4m.

Amorim himself arrived at a cost of £11m, yet he lacks the players necessary to implement his preferred tactical system.

The club’s tight financial constraints under Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) raise further concerns. How will United afford the elite forward they need this summer? What happens if Amorim endures a poor start next season?

Even Amorim himself acknowledges the precarious situation, saying: "If we don't win, regardless of the buyout clause, every manager is in danger."

Despite Ratcliffe’s reputation for quick decisions, Amorim is expected to receive patience. However, it remains unclear whether United’s operational structure will support him effectively.

United’s turmoil extends beyond the pitch and the boardroom. Mass job cuts, rising ticket prices, and a decade of mismanagement have eroded trust between the club and its supporters.

The Manchester United Supporters Trust has condemned the financial mismanagement, stating: "This problem starts with our crippling debt interest payments and is exacerbated by a decade or more of poor leadership."

Fans feel abandoned, staff face redundancies, and the club’s future remains uncertain. Amorim remains one of the few figures at United willing to confront these realities, acknowledging:

"We cannot rebuild the team the way we would like. People are losing their jobs, and that affects the environment." His solution? Winning games.