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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Jonathan Wilson

Manchester United’s collapse leaves the FA Cup nearly free of superclubs

composite image with three men looking disappointed and green lines behind them
Ruben Amorim, Victor Lindelhof, Joshua Zirkzee. Composite: Guardian pictures

What links Jack Robson, Lal Hilditch, Herbert Bamlett and Ruben Amorim?

They’re the only permanent managers in Manchester United history with a career negative goal-difference. Other than Amorim, the other three worked between 1914 and 1931. Sunday’s FA Cup exit against Fulham, admittedly, did not contribute to that. It was possible, even, in the aftermath of a penalty shootout defeat, to argue it had been one of United’s better recent performances. They’ve only lost two of their previous eight games. But it’s also just 3 March and United already have no chance of winning any domestic competition this season.

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