10 Worst Man Utd Seasons in Premier League History (Ranked)

The 2024/25 season marks Manchester United's 32nd campaign in the Premier League. Erik ten Hag, who delivered two trophies during his tenure, was dismissed in October after a poor start, winning just three of the first nine matches. His successor, Rúben Amorim, has struggled to turn things around, with United languishing in the bottom half as the season nears its conclusion. They are now on track to record their lowest-ever Premier League points total.

Here’s a closer look at United’s worst Premier League seasons. Notably, nine of the ten lowest points tallies have come after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, underscoring the club’s decline since their last league title in 2013.

10. 2003/04

75 points

This is the only season on this list with Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm, though it was far from a failure for Manchester United. They finished third behind Chelsea and an Arsenal side that famously went unbeaten. United had a golden chance to end the Gunners' streak at Old Trafford in September 2003, earning a last-minute penalty. However, Ruud van Nistelrooy's miss allowed Arsène Wenger's team to preserve their historic run.

United suffered nine league defeats that season, including unexpected home losses to Fulham, Middlesbrough, and Liverpool. While they surrendered their Premier League title to Arsenal, Ferguson's side still claimed silverware, securing their 11th FA Cup with a 3-0 victory over Millwall in the final.

9. 2020/21

74 points

The 2020/21 season marked Manchester United's highest Premier League finish in the post-Ferguson era, as they secured second place behind Manchester City under Ole Gunnar Solskjær. However, their campaign began in unconvincing fashion, with three home defeats to Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal leaving them 13th in the table after seven games.

United responded with a 13-match unbeaten run that briefly put them in the title race. But a shock loss to Sheffield United, combined with a string of draws in February and March, ended their championship hopes. In the end, they finished 12 points behind Pep Guardiola's City.

8. 2014/15

70 points

Louis van Gaal took over as Manchester United manager in May 2014, just a month after David Moyes was sacked. Optimism was high ahead of the season, especially following the high-profile signings of Ángel Di María, Radamel Falcao, and Daley Blind. However, both Di María and Falcao underwhelmed, and United’s campaign got off to a poor start with a home defeat to Swansea on the opening day.

After five matches, United had just five points and sat 12th in the table. Performances gradually improved, but goalscoring remained a persistent issue. Van Gaal's side eventually finished fourth with 70 points, securing Champions League qualification, but they endured a trophyless season for the first time since 2004/05 following early exits in the FA Cup and League Cup.

7. 2016/17

69 points

José Mourinho took over from Louis van Gaal after the Dutchman’s FA Cup triumph at the end of the previous season. The Portuguese manager made a statement in the transfer market, bringing in Zlatan Ibrahimović and Paul Pogba, and started his Premier League tenure with three straight wins, fueling hopes of a title challenge. However, United's momentum quickly faded as they won just one of their next seven league games, including a humbling 4-0 defeat at Mourinho's former club, Chelsea.

As the season progressed, the focus shifted toward cup competitions. United lifted the League Cup in February after defeating Southampton in the final and later secured the UEFA Europa League title, completing a cup double in Mourinho’s first season. Despite finishing sixth in the Premier League with 69 points, their Europa League triumph ensured Champions League qualification.

6. 2019/20

66 points

Ole Gunnar Solskjær was appointed permanent manager in March 2019 following an impressive stint as interim boss. However, his first full season in charge, the 2019/20 campaign, began poorly. After nine matches, United had just 10 points, suffering defeats to Crystal Palace, West Ham, and Newcastle, which left them languishing in 14th place.

While results gradually improved, they still sat as low as ninth in December, piling pressure on the Norwegian. However, a remarkable 14-match unbeaten run to close out the season saw United secure a Champions League spot, finishing four points ahead of Leicester City—whom they defeated 2-0 on the final day.

5. 2015/16

66 points

United endured a difficult second season under Louis van Gaal, with his slow, possession-based style frustrating supporters. Big-name signings like Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin, and Bastian Schweinsteiger struggled to make an impact, and a dismal festive period saw United suffer three consecutive defeats to AFC Bournemouth, Norwich City, and Stoke City.

As in the previous campaign, goalscoring was a major issue. United managed just 49 goals in 38 league matches—their lowest tally in Premier League history. Although van Gaal ended the season by winning the FA Cup in May, it wasn’t enough to save his job, and he was replaced by José Mourinho.

4. 2018/19

66 points

After finishing second the previous season—a feat he later called his greatest managerial achievement—José Mourinho entered the 2018/19 campaign frustrated by United’s lack of transfer activity, particularly in defense. The arrivals of Diogo Dalot and Fred did little to strengthen the squad, and the Red Devils struggled early on, winning just three of their first seven league games.

Mourinho’s tenure unraveled by December, with a public fallout with Paul Pogba and poor results leading to his dismissal. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over as caretaker manager and impressed, winning 70% of his first 19 games, which earned him the job permanently. However, United ultimately finished sixth with 66 points, five behind Tottenham Hotspur, missing out on a Champions League spot.

3. 2013/14

64 points

David Moyes faced an immense challenge replacing Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of the 2013/14 season. United’s summer business was underwhelming, with Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata being the only major signings. The team got off to a slow start, losing three of their first six games, including defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City.

Inconsistency plagued the campaign, though Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie were bright spots. Moyes, who had signed a six-year contract, struggled to assert control and was dismissed just 10 months into the job. Ryan Giggs took over as interim player-manager in April 2014, but United could only manage a seventh-place finish on 64 points—at the time, their lowest in Premier League history.

2. 2023/24

60 points

Expectations were high for Manchester United heading into the 2023/24 season. Fresh off a League Cup triumph and a top-four finish under Erik ten Hag, fans were hopeful for further progress. However, it quickly became apparent that this optimism was misplaced. Ten Hag’s tactics faced heavy scrutiny as United endured several humbling defeats, including a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

Injuries also took their toll, with key players like Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, and Lisandro Martínez enduring repeated setbacks. The Red Devils ultimately finished eighth with just 60 points, but a surprise FA Cup final victory over Manchester City played a crucial role in INEOS' summer review of the managerial situation.

1. 2021/22

58 points

After the high-profile summer signings of Raphaël Varane, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Jadon Sancho, Manchester United were tipped as potential title contenders for the 2021/22 season. Ole Gunnar Solskjær, known for his reactive, counter-attacking approach, attempted a more front-footed style in the early stages of the campaign.

United started strongly, earning 13 points from their first five matches, but things quickly unraveled in September and October. A dismal run of five defeats in seven games, including a humiliating 5-0 loss at home to Liverpool, put Solskjær under immense pressure. A 4-1 defeat at Watford proved to be his final game in charge.

Ralf Rangnick took over on an interim basis, but his tenure was marred by criticism of the club’s structure and an inability to turn things around. United limped to a sixth-place finish with just 58 points—their lowest tally in Premier League history.