Ruben Amorim warned of stormy days ahead, but even he couldn’t have predicted just how bad things would get.
Manchester United’s latest setback a lifeless performance in a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham only deepens the crisis, leaving them languishing in 15th place with the season spiraling further out of control.
United’s decline has been nothing short of staggering. The club, still the most successful of the Premier League era, has never faced relegation since the competition’s inception in 1992.
But with 12 defeats already on the board their most at this stage of a season since 1973/74, when they were relegated there’s a grim sense of history repeating itself.
Amorim first acknowledged the danger of the drop in January after a trio of defeats against Bournemouth, Wolves, and Newcastle.
A brief resurgence followed, with a hard-fought draw at Liverpool and a stunning FA Cup victory over Arsenal.
But any optimism was short-lived. A narrow win at Fulham aside, United have been largely outplayed, scraping a point against bottom-club Southampton before suffering consecutive defeats to Brighton, Crystal Palace, and now Tottenham.
The numbers make for bleak reading. A mere four points collected from their last six league games. Just one goal from their trio of forwards Joshua Zirkzee, Rasmus Hojlund, and Alejandro Garnacho since the turn of the year.
Injuries piling up, with Amad Diallo, Lisandro Martinez, and Kobbie Mainoo all sidelined for significant spells.
Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation, which worked so well at Sporting Lisbon, has failed to click at Old Trafford. Former United striker Dimitar Berbatov has already voiced concerns, claiming Zirkzee and Hojlund look “lost” and are “wasting all their energy” in a system that isn’t playing to their strengths.
There is, however, some breathing room. Despite their woeful form, United still sit 12 points clear of the drop zone, with Ipswich, Leicester, and Southampton struggling below them.
A total collapse would be required for them to be truly dragged into the relegation fight.
Still, United’s remaining fixtures offer little comfort. A trip to Goodison Park awaits, where David Moyes has transformed Everton from relegation candidates into a side sitting above United in 14th place.
That’s followed by a midweek clash against Ipswich at Old Trafford, a game that could quickly turn into a nightmare if United don’t find some form.
Historically, 35-36 points have been enough to secure safety in a 38-game Premier League season. United, sitting on 29, likely need just a couple of wins to pull clear. But given their current struggles, finding those wins is easier said than done.
While United’s fate remains in their hands, the reality of their situation is impossible to ignore. They’re not just underperforming they’re teetering on the brink of a season that could go down as one of the worst in their modern history.