The threat of relegation is a real one for Manchester United at the half-way stage of the Premier League season.
Their 2-0 loss to Newcastle on Monday night – coinciding with Ipswich’s shock 2-0 triumph over Chelsea – means Ruben Amorim’s side are just seven points clear of the drop zone with 19 games left to play.
Things don’t get much easier either. They begin 2025 with a trip to a dominant Liverpool side who appear to be running away with the title.
The stats from their poor first-half to the season are not pretty reading for United fans. December 2024 was the first time since September 1930 that they lost six games in a calendar month.
Things haven’t improved since Ruben Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag. With only Southampton (7) losing more games in all competitions than Amorim (6) since his arrival on November 24.
Should their poor form continue, the threat of relegation could be a surprising yet real possibility for the Red Devils.
Last Time Manchester United Suffered Relegation
Manchester United last suffered relegation from the English top flight 50 years ago in the 1973-1974 season.
The Red Devils finished 21st out of 22 teams, going down with Southampton and Norwich. They were five points off Birmingham City and safety.
Legend has it that United legend Denis Law sent his old club down with a back-heeled goal for Manchester City that he didn’t celebrate.
However, Manchester United’s relegation was instead sealed by Birmingham beating Norwich, and West Ham getting a point against Liverpool.
#onthisday in 1974… pic.twitter.com/jlWbZH4lqU
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 27, 2017
It came just six years after United won the European Cup for the first time. George Best briefly returned to United that season but played his last game for the club on New Year’s Day.
United would instantly get promoted back to the top flight a year later. Since then they have only finished outside the top 10 on two occasions since. They finished 11th in the 1986-87 season and 13th in the 1989-90 season under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Even if United don’t get sucked into a relegation battle, avoiding their first finish outside the top 10 in 35 years could be a big task for the Red Devils.
Ruben Amorim Admits Relegation Battle Possibility
Asked by BBC Sport if Manchester United were in a battle to avoid relegation, Amorim said: “I think that it is a possibility. We have to be clear with our fans.”
Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in the world and the possibility of relegation is almost unthinkable – even if it last happened 50 years ago.
“It is also my fault,” Amorim said, when asked if it was embarrassing to be a Manchester United coach and have to talk about relegation.
“The team is not improving. It is a little bit lost in this moment and it is a bit embarrassing to be Manchester United coach and lose a lot of games.
“I think people are tired of excuses at this club. This club needs a shock.”
With 22 points by Gameweek 19, this is the worst start to a season for Manchester United since the 1986-87 season where the Red Devils only managed 19 points in 19 games.
