New Delhi: The last time Manchester United were relegated from the top tier was in 1973-74 when Tommy Docherty was still at the helm of the club. With time, English football has become more profit based and United were one of the reasons for the wealth generation. It is on the strangest account that the Red Devils find themselves in the same place 50 years later.
For a while, Man United have not been at their best for a while but this season has been alarmingly in wretched condition. After Newcastle thwarted United at Old Trafford, even their new manager Ruben Amorim admitted that there was a chance that the club could be facing relegation. This was a statement that no one could have imagined would be uttered, but the Portuguese manager chose to be transparent to the club’s fans.
Manchester United’s relegation fear
A resolute message from the boss.#MUFC || #MUNNEW
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 30, 2024
There are too many glaring reasons behind such an admission of course. For starters in December Man United lost all of their six games across competitions. They have conceded 18 goals this month, which is the most in a month since March 1964. Since Amorim took charge, only Southampton have recorded more losses amongst Premier clubs than United.
They will enter the New Year at 14th, their lowest rank at the turn of a year since 1989, when they were placed 15th. Since 1979, for the first time, United have lost three games in a row at Old Trafford. This is also the first time since 2015 that they have lost three consecutive games in the Premier League within the same season.
Amorim has noted that the fault somewhere also lies with him as his side wasn’t improving and losing a lot when he was asked if it embarrassed him to be at the helm of United. Amorim noted that United were running out of excuses and they needed to be jolted into reality.
United missing out on the Champions League would be a low blow financially as It would affect them financially costing them a £10m from their multi-million-pound shirt sponsorship contract with Adidas. Apart from this, there is the Premier League’s parachute payment situation that needs attention should the club get relegated. The cost-cutting we have seen at United would only get worse if their season sees 46 club games with midweek league games against Bristol City and Oxford United.
Ruben Amorim’s way forward with Manchester United
🚨⚠️ Rúben Amorim confirms it won’t be easy to bring in players in January: “We don’t have that possibility in January if we don’t sell some players”.
“You know the situation better than me. I can’t arrive and spend money immediately”. pic.twitter.com/ftFZR5GiPt
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 31, 2024
That is where the challenge lies as United are too tight-fisted at the moment having lost £113.2m in the financial year in June 2024. Amorim noted that they need to let go of some players in order to make purchases in January. While selling players might be an option, the real question of course is who to sell and what value will it bring to United.
United may have players who could be sold for example Real Madrid’s legendary player Casemiro with 18 months left in his contract still. Summer signing Joshua Zirkzee has shown some glimpses of his brilliance but it is true, he hasn’t shown his prime yet. Amorim is yet to find the spot for the Dutch international to shine.
After a brief absence, Marcus Rashford returned to the United squad but remained on the bench as United lost their fourth consecutive game across the competition. United have failed to score a goal in their last three Premier games and there are questions as to why Rashford is out of the mix. The 39-year-old manager said that he wasn’t trying to make an example out of the English player but wanted to win games and hence thought about the team as a whole rather than an individual.
Amorim has said that it was a difficult phase of time and they needed to fight strong in their next game. United as a unit may be shaken with their belief and their loss to Newcastle means it is the worst points they collected in a calendar year with just 51. They will now face the table-toppers Liverpool in their next fixture.
After Manchester United lost to Newcastle at Old Trafford, Ruben Amorim has admitted that his side are seriously in threat of being relegated from the Premier League. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
