Manchester United suffered the unimaginable—relegation from the top division of English football—half a century ago. The truth was more nuanced, since their relegation was certain that season regardless of Denis Law’s deeds, despite folklore having it that his backheeled goal sealed their doom. The once-dominant club is now dealing with rumors of a similar disaster.
A Time to Remember
The December 2024 season for Manchester United was absolutely awful. Only twice in the club’s history have they lost six games in all competitions. They had their poorest defensive record since March 1964, giving up 18 goals in the month.
Since taking over as head coach on November 24, Ruben Amorim has presided over a concerning downturn. The only Premier League team to lose more games since he took over is Southampton. United is currently in 14th place in the league standings as of New Year’s Eve, which is their lowest standing since 1989.
Amorim was not afraid to take responsibility. The coach of Manchester United remarked, “It is a little bit lost in this moment and it is a bit embarrassing to be Manchester United and lose a lot of games.” “I believe that everyone at this club is sick of excuses. This club needs a wake-up call.
His remarks mirrored the frustration of supporters who have had enough of mediocrity. Even though United has always been resilient, the possibility of relegation is no longer completely discounted.
Financial Consequences Are Serious
Relegation would be disastrous, but missing out on the Champions League would be a huge financial setback. With a recorded deficit of £113.2 million for the fiscal year ended June 2024, United’s financial difficulties are widely known.
In the forthcoming transfer window, manager Ruben Amorim emphasized the team’s limited options: “If we don’t take some players [out], we don’t have that possibility in January.”
A Crisis Squad
There is not much optimism for the team with its present squad. Former Real Madrid great Casemiro, a Brazilian, is currently having trouble in the Premier League. Following a temporary absence, Marcus Rashford was benched during the most recent loss, raising concerns about his role under Amorim.
Next up is Joshua Zirkzee, a £36.5 million summer acquisition who was replaced against Newcastle after just 33 minutes. Amorim apologized and acknowledged the strain on the young athlete, but he said it’s still difficult to find a method to integrate him.
Manchester United must make important decisions as supporters struggle with this sobering truth. With little money and a disorganized squad, the January transfer window may decide whether the threat of relegation materializes.
As one thinks back on this instance, Amorim’s statement, “This club needs a shock,” comes to mind. It remains to be seen if that shock sparks a comeback or portends a more profound fall.
