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Tag: Manchester United

  • EPL: United shock Arsenal in five-goal thriller

    EPL: United shock Arsenal in five-goal thriller

    Manchester United threw the Premier League title race wide open with a pulsating 3–2 win over leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, handing the Gunners their first home league defeat of the season in a night of high drama.

    Arsenal had been presented with the opportunity to re-establish a seven-point cushion at the summit following victories for Manchester City and Aston Villa earlier in the weekend. Instead, their advantage was trimmed as an energised United side delivered a ruthless second-half performance to loosen the hosts’ grip on top spot.

    The Gunners started with authority and were rewarded in the 29th minute when Lisandro Martínez diverted the ball into his own net under pressure, giving Arsenal a deserved breakthrough. United, however, were gifted a lifeline eight minutes later when Martin Zubimendi’s loose pass was pounced upon by Bryan Mbeumo, who kept his composure to finish clinically and restore parity.

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    Momentum swung firmly in United’s favour after the interval, and they surged ahead five minutes into the second half. Patrick Dorgu unleashed a thunderous effort that struck the underside of the crossbar before finding the net, stunning the home support. Arsenal responded with sustained pressure and eventually drew level late on, substitute Mikel Merino reacting quickest to poke home from close range in the 84th minute.

    Just as the contest appeared to be heading for a draw, United delivered the decisive blow. Three minutes after the equaliser, Matheus Cunha curled a magnificent strike from outside the area to silence the Emirates and secure a statement victory for the visitors.

    The loss leaves Arsenal winless in their last three league outings, though they remain top on 50 points from 23 matches, with Manchester City and Aston Villa closing the gap on 46 points. United’s triumph lifts them to fourth on 38 points, intensifying an already crowded and unpredictable title race.

  • Man Utd pull off stunning win over Man City under Carrick

    Man Utd pull off stunning win over Man City under Carrick

    Manchester United have defeated Manchester City 2-0 in Saturday’s early kick-off.

    It was the Red Devils’ first fixture after the Premier League club appointed Michael Carrick as their new head coach.

    The hosts began the match in impressive fashion and saw two goals ruled out for offside in the first half.

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    However, they eventually took the lead after the break, with Bryan Mbeumo finishing off a swift counter-attack.

    Patrick Dorgu then got on the end of Matheus Cunha’s cross to double their advantage.

    It is the first win in five matches for United, with City now at risk of going nine points behind Arsenal at the top.

  • FULL LIST: Six worst Manchester United managers in history

    FULL LIST: Six worst Manchester United managers in history

    Manchester United’s history is defined by dominance, trophies, and iconic leadership. However, not every managerial reign at Old Trafford has lived up to those lofty standards. Using win percentage, results, and historical context, these managers are widely regarded as the least successful in the club’s history, based on available records and long-term impact rather than reputation alone.

    Following the sack of Ruben Amorim, below is a detailed look at the Manchester United managers whose tenures statistically rank among the worst.

    1. Jack Robson (1914–1921)

    Approx. win rate: ~29.5%

    Lowest win percentage in club history (depending on record source)

    Jack Robson’s reign remains one of the bleakest periods in Manchester United’s existence. His time in charge was heavily affected by World War I, which disrupted English football and limited squad stability. Nevertheless, United’s performances were poor even by the standards of the era.

    –          United struggled defensively and offensively

    –          Relegation battles were common

    –          Club lacked tactical identity

    While external factors played a role, Robson’s win percentage remains the lowest ever recorded for a permanent United manager, cementing his place in this list.

    2. Lal Hilditch (1926–1927)

    Approx. win rate: ~30.3%

    Very short tenure with extremely poor results

    Hilditch’s spell in charge was brief and unsuccessful. United failed to show progress in either league form or performances, and his inability to stabilize results quickly led to his dismissal.

    –          Poor league position

    –          Little tactical impact

    –          No significant wins to offset losses

    His tenure is often forgotten due to its brevity, but statistically, it stands among the club’s weakest.

    3. Herbert Bamlett (1927–1931)

    Approx. win rate: ~31–32%

    Defensive instability and heavy goals conceded

    Bamlett inherited a struggling side and was unable to correct its flaws. His United teams were especially vulnerable defensively, conceding goals at an alarming rate.

    –          Weak defensive organization

    –          Frequent heavy defeats

    –          Declining league finishes

    Although his reign lasted longer than others on this list, the lack of improvement over four seasons ultimately defined his failure.

    4. Wilf McGuinness (1969–1970)

    Approx. win rate: ~36.7–36.8%

    Failed to sustain success after Sir Matt Busby

    McGuinness had the unenviable task of replacing Sir Matt Busby. Young and inexperienced at the top level, he struggled to command authority over a squad still shaped by Busby’s influence.

    –          Inconsistent results

    –          Loss of dressing-room confidence

    –          Busby forced to return in an advisory role

    Though not disastrous in isolation, McGuinness’ reign marked a sharp decline from United’s previous standards, making it one of the most disappointing transitions in club history.

    5. Frank O’Farrell (1971–1972)

    Approx. win rate: ~37%

    Short, ineffective spell that preceded relegation trouble

    Read Also: BREAKING: Manchester United sack Amorim as manager

    O’Farrell’s tenure began with promise but quickly unraveled. United’s form collapsed, and the team drifted dangerously close to the relegation zone.

    –          Poor league run

    –          Defensive frailties

    –          Loss of momentum and belief

    He was dismissed midway through the 1972–73 season, with Tommy Docherty later taking over to rebuild the club.

    6. Ruben Amorim (2024–2026)

    Approx. win rate: ~36–39.7%

    Lowest win percentage of the post-Ferguson era

    Amorim’s spell is widely viewed as one of the most damaging in modern Manchester United history. Despite high expectations, results failed to improve, and performances deteriorated across competitions.

    One of United’s worst league finishes in decades

    –          Tactical inconsistency

    –          Poor results against both top and lower-table sides

    Statistically, Amorim recorded the lowest win percentage of any United manager in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, leading to his dismissal after 14 months in charge.

  • Manchester United 1-1 Wolves: Visitors end 11-match losing streak against disapapointing Red Devils

    Manchester United 1-1 Wolves: Visitors end 11-match losing streak against disapapointing Red Devils

    Wolves ended their 11-match Premier League losing streak and manager Rob Edwards grabbed his first point as manager as his side held a disappointing Manchester United, who were booed off at Old Trafford.

    Without eight senior players due to a combination of injuries and international calls, United were far from their best but still managed to go in front thanks to Joshua Zirkzee’s deflected 27th-minute effort.

    However, Wolves began to force the pace towards the end of the opening period and after United goalkeeper Senne Lammens had kept a Hugo Bueno effort out, Ladislav Krejci levelled with a header from eight yards after he was given far too much room at the far post.

    Lammens denied Krejci a second after half-time, when he dived to his left to parry a low shot and then got the ball away from danger as Yerson Mosquera closed in.

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    Ironically, Mosquera came close for the home side when he headed the ball past Jose Sa and towards his own goal. Fortunately for the Colombian, Sa got back to retrieve the situation just before the ball bounced in.

    Sa had already been at the centre of one unusual incident when he was penalised by referee Thomas Bramall for holding onto the ball longer than eight seconds. It was only the third time the new rule has been applied in the Premier League this season but the home side could make nothing of the corner that followed.

    Jhon Arias came close to a winner for the visitors with a shot that deflected narrowly wide and Patrick Dorgu then thought he had scored for the hosts in the final minute but a lengthy video assistant referee check confirmed the offside decision against him was correct.

    It was Wolves’ third draw – and point – of the season, and their first since 5 October, although does not do much for their survival chances as they are still 15 points from safety.

    For United, it was another example of their many shortcomings and a result that prevented Ruben Amorim’s side ending 2025 in an unlikely fourth spot – they remain sixth.

    BBC

  • EPL: Amad’s late goal earn Man Utd point in Forest thriller

    EPL: Amad’s late goal earn Man Utd point in Forest thriller

    Amad Diallo lashed home a thunderous 81st-minute volley to earn Manchester United a point in a thrilling Premier League encounter with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

    The visitors thought they were heading for a fourth straight win and second spot in the table after Casemiro headed them into a half-time lead from a corner Forest were convinced should not have been awarded.

    But the game turned on its head in the space of two second-half minutes as Forest skipper Morgan Gibbs-White outmuscled Amad to reach Ryan Yates’ deep cross from the right.

    From their next attack, Forest scored again. Once more they created problems for United with a cross from the right as Nicolo Savona reacted fastest when Igor Jesus’ header bounced off bodies into the six-yard area, keeping his composure to beat United keeper Sanne Lammens.

    But in addition to improving their actual play, Ruben Amorim’s United also seem to have got stronger mentally and, rather than crumble to defeat, fought their way back into the game.

    Bruno Fernandes struck the base of a post before Amad brilliantly latched on to a looping clearance just outside the area and volleyed first time past Matz Sels.

    Amad might have won it at the end but deep into stoppage injury time his shot was cleared off the line by Murillo.

  • EPL: Relief for Amorim as Man United beat Sunderland 2–0

    EPL: Relief for Amorim as Man United beat Sunderland 2–0

    Under-pressure Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim marked his 50th game in charge with a crucial victory over Sunderland at Old Trafford.

    Mason Mount gave the hosts a perfect start with a well-taken goal after just eight minutes.

    It was the earliest United had scored in the Premier League since Marcus Rashford’s second-minute effort at Ipswich in Amorim’s first game last November.

    Benjamin Sesko doubled the home side’s lead with a close-range finish for his second goal in as many games while United’s first clean sheet of the season was Amorim’s reward for handing a debut to £18.1m goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

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    Sunderland were awarded a penalty just before half-time but it was overturned after a video assistant refereee (VAR) check confirmed Sesko did not catch Trai Hume in the face with a high boot, as initially thought.

    In a tenure littered with negative statistics, Amorim finally has some positive ones to look back on as United recorded a third-straight home win for the first time in over two years.

    They have lost just once at home to Sunderland in 31 meetings and Amorim becomes the first United boss since Sir Alex Ferguson to win his 50th game at the helm.

    It was enough for the home fans to go through a rendition of their catchy ‘Ruben Amorim’ tribute song which, amid such intense scrutiny over his longevity at Old Trafford, must at least have been some comfort for the Portuguese coach.

    BBC Sports

  • EPL: Brentford beat Manchester United 3-1 as Fernandes misses penalty

    EPL: Brentford beat Manchester United 3-1 as Fernandes misses penalty

    Manchester United’s struggles continued on Saturday with a 3-1 defeat to Brentford in the Premier League, as captain Bruno Fernandes missed a crucial second-half penalty.

    United were trying to fight their way back after Igor Thiago capitalised on some shambolic United defending inside the first 20 minutes to give the home side a two-goal cushion.

    Benjamin Sesko pulled one back with his first goal since making a £74m summer move from RB Leipzig.

    Fernandes was given the chance to level when Bees captain Nathan Collins dragged former Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo back inside the area.

    After a delay of almost five minutes, which included a viceo assistant referee red card check against Collins and Brentford making two substitutions, Fernandes’ low effort was turned away by Caoimhin Kelleher.

    Brentford wrapped it up deep in stoppage time when Mathias Jensen drove a high shot past United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir from the edge of the area.

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    It means United have not won two successive league games under Amorim, who is coming up to a year in charge.

    Watching the game for Match of the Day, former Manchester City defender Micah Richards was less than impressed with United’s defending for Brentford’s goals, which he blamed on Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.

    Harry Maguire was exposed as the last man as he tried to play offside when Jordan Henderson floated a long ball out of the Brentford half, allowing Thiago to run clear for his opener.

    Then Kevin Schade found space on the left to drill a low cross into the box which Bayindir pushed straight to Thiago, who finished from four yards.

    “Shambolic,” said Richards. “The system is hampering them. They’re not sure where they’re meant to be.

    “In terms of the goals, there were individual errors. Maguire was trying to play offside for the first one – there’s no point gambling there.

    “For the second, (Matthijs) de Ligt doesn’t know where’s he’s going and Maguire isn’t sure where to position himself.

    “It’s 100% confusion caused by playing that system. It doesn’t suit the players.”

    BBC Sports

  • EPL: Fernandes, Casemiro fire ten-man United to victory over Chelsea

    EPL: Fernandes, Casemiro fire ten-man United to victory over Chelsea

    Manchester United took full advantage of Robert Sanchez’s early red card to claim a much-needed 2-1 win over Chelsea in a rain-soaked Premier League clash at Old Trafford.

    The match, played under heavy downpour, made history as the first Premier League fixture to feature two goals, red cards, and multiple substitutions all within the first half. United captain Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring before Casemiro doubled the lead, though he too was sent off before the break.

    The turning point came just five minutes in when Chelsea goalkeeper Sanchez was dismissed for a professional foul. The Spaniard rushed off his line to stop Bryan Mbeumo, who had broken through on goal, but brought him down outside the box to prevent a certain scoring chance.

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    Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was forced into a tactical reshuffle, making three changes within 20 minutes. Pedro Neto and Estevao Willian were sacrificed following the red card, while Cole Palmer was forced off with a groin injury.

    Despite being down to 10 men, United pressed their advantage. Fernandes converted from close range before Casemiro added a second, giving the hosts a two-goal cushion heading into the break. Casemiro’s evening ended early as well, after he received his marching orders following a second bookable offence.

    Chelsea pulled one back through Trevoh Chalobah, who headed in with 10 minutes left on the clock. But United held firm, managing the game through to the final whistle to record only their second win of the season.

    The result was watched by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who had recently offered public backing to manager Ruben Amorim. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s poor run at Old Trafford continued — they have now gone 12 years without a league victory at the venue, last winning there in 2013 under Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign.

  • Man United  targets EPL title for 150th anniversary

    Man United  targets EPL title for 150th anniversary

    Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada is sticking to his ambitious target of winning the Premier League in 2028 to mark the club’s 150th  anniversary despite a historically bad season for Ruben Amorim’s team.

    The 20-time English champions endured their worst top-flight campaign since they were relegated in 1973⁄74, finishing 15th , 42 points behind champions Liverpool.

    They also lost the Europa League final to Tottenham, meaning they will have no European football next season.

    Berrada told staff of his “Project 150” vision in September last year, setting out his aim to win the Premier League and the Women’s Super League (WSL) titles in 2028.

    While United’s men’s team have a mountain to climb, the women’s side, who have never won the WSL, will have to dislodge Chelsea, who have won the past six titles.

    United finished third in the WSL, 16 points behind champions Chelsea, who also beat them in the FA Cup final.

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    But Berrada, formerly chief football operations officer at Manchester City, believes a double title success within three years is possible, despite the huge challenges.

     “It’s establishing a series of targets within a timeframe so we can focus our efforts and energy on that goal,” he said in an interview with the United We Stand fanzine. “Can the team win the Premier League title by 2028? Of course.

    “We’ve just finished 15th  and it seems an impossible task. But why not aim for it? Why not do everything in our power?”

    United, in three years’ time, will mark 150 years since the club were founded as Newton Heath in 1878.

    They have not been crowned English champions since Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge in 2012⁄13 but Berrada remains confident.

    “I firmly believe we can do it,” he said. “We have two or three summer windows to build a team to start competing to win the Premier League.”

  • Man United   booed off after friendly loss in Malaysia

    Man United   booed off after friendly loss in Malaysia

    Manchester United suffered fresh embarrassment and were booed off as they lost 1-0 to a Southeast Asian XI in Kuala Lumpur in front of 72,550.

    Ruben Amorim’s side, who finished 15th  in the Premier League for their worst season since 1974, looked lethargic and devoid of ideas in the gruelling heat.

    Some fans at Bukit Jalil National Stadium left before the end and there were boos at the final whistle.

    United have struggled for goals all year and it was more evidence why they are reportedly prepared to shell out £62.5 million ($85 million) on Brazilian international attacker Matheus Cunha from Wolves.

    Amorim, who was clearly frustrated during the match and shook his head at times, refused to confirm the Cunha deal.

    The Portuguese coach was happy though to leave the Malaysian capital and head to Hong Kong with no new injuries and had no issue with fans booing his team off.

     “We were slow and we still don’t have it in us to win every exercise in training, every game,” he said.

     “The boos from the fans, it’s something that we need.”

    He added: “These people believe in Manchester United no matter what the context.

     “It’s our duty to improve the team and to improve the team next season.

     “For me, we need to have that belief, that hunger to win every game, that is important.”

    In their first of two post-season games in Asia, United started with several regulars including Harry Maguire, Rasmus Hojlund, Casemiro, Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Andre Onana.

    In temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius (90 Fahrenheit) at kick-off, it was the ASEAN All Stars who looked more threatening in the first half.

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    They shot just wide in the 16th minute and Onana was then called into action with a low save that endeared him to the pro-United crowd.

    Mainoo provided the first real threat for United with a 25-yard effort that was turned behind for a corner, before the young midfielder saw his shot cleared off the line in the 38th minute.

    Captain Bruno Fernandes came on in the second half and his half-volley lit up a drab restart.

    Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho, on the trip despite looking like he is headed for the exit at United, made a lively cameo off the bench.

    United were better in the second half but the Southeast Asian side stunned the visitors in the 71st minute when Burmese attacker Maung Maung Lwin found himself clean through on goal before firing into the top corner past Tom Heaton.

    Soon after Heaton came to United’s rescue to prevent further embarrassment.

    United play the Hong Kong team on Friday.