Manchester United’s recent struggles at the start of the Premier League season are not a new phenomenon, echoing a recurring theme since the departure of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The club’s current campaign has seen them accumulate only four points from a possible twelve after four matches, a tally that includes a recent derby defeat against Manchester City. This slow start places them significantly behind early pace-setters like Arsenal and City, who have secured maximum points.
A Familiar Pattern of Slow Starts
This pattern of a sluggish opening to the league campaign has been a consistent feature for Manchester United in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. Examining the club’s performance over the last decade reveals a tendency for United to drop points in the initial stages of the season, often leading to a significant points deficit that they then have to overcome.
The 2023/24 Season Under Erik ten Hag
Last season, under Erik ten Hag, Manchester United also found themselves with a similar points total after the first four games. Despite this early-season wobble, the team managed to recover, ultimately finishing third in the league and securing Champions League football. This recovery, however, came after a mid-season managerial change, highlighting the volatility that can accompany these slow starts.
Louis van Gaal’s Challenging Start
The 2014/15 season under Louis van Gaal serves as another stark example. Van Gaal’s tenure began with a mere five points from the first fifteen available, including an opening-day home defeat and a high-scoring loss away from home. Despite this difficult start, United demonstrated resilience, embarking on two separate six-match winning streaks in the league, which were crucial in their eventual return to Champions League qualification.
Erik ten Hag’s 2023/24 Campaign
In the 2023/24 season, Erik ten Hag’s side also experienced a difficult opening, securing six points from their first five matches. This period was marked by away defeats to strong opposition and a home loss. While the team finished a disappointing eighth in the league that year, they managed to salvage some silverware by winning the FA Cup and qualifying for the Europa League, adding a degree of gloss to an otherwise underwhelming league performance.
The Most Common Outcome: Seven Points from Five Games
Across the post-Ferguson era, accumulating seven points from the first fifteen available has been the most frequent starting point for Manchester United over the past thirteen years. This outcome has occurred on four separate occasions, under managers David Moyes (2013/14), Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (2020/21), and Erik ten Hag (in both the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons). The varying fortunes of these seasons underscore the unpredictable nature of United’s campaigns following such starts.
David Moyes’ Tenure (2013/14)
David Moyes’ first season in charge, 2013/14, saw United secure seven points from their opening five fixtures. The season ultimately ended with the club finishing seventh, and Moyes himself did not complete the full campaign.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Turbulent 2020/21 Season
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 2020/21 campaign, which also yielded seven points from the first five games, was particularly eventful. Despite a heavy home defeat to Tottenham, the team recovered strongly to finish second, ending the season unbeaten away from home.
Solskjaer’s 2019/20 Start
In his first full season as manager in 2019/20, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United picked up eight points from their opening five matches. This start was followed by a third-place finish, mirroring the team’s performance in the previous season.
Jose Mourinho’s Mixed Fortunes
Jose Mourinho’s tenure saw contrasting starts. The 2016/17 season began with three consecutive wins, but this was followed by a derby defeat and a heavy loss away to Watford. Despite the stumble, the season concluded positively with a Europa League triumph and Champions League qualification, even though they finished sixth in the league.
In the 2018/19 season, also under Mourinho, United began with nine points from their first five games, including a home loss to Tottenham. The season saw Mourinho replaced by Solskjaer midway through, with the team eventually finishing sixth.
Erik ten Hag’s First Season (2022/23)
Erik ten Hag’s inaugural season in 2022/23 saw him secure three wins from his first five matches, despite losing the opening two fixtures. This challenging start was overcome, and the team finished third in the league.
Louis van Gaal’s 2015/16 Campaign
Louis van Gaal’s 2015/16 season saw him accumulate ten points from the first fifteen available. However, a significant mid-season slump derailed their title aspirations, and they ultimately missed out on Champions League football, finishing fifth.
The Best Starts Post-Ferguson
The most successful openings to a Premier League season for Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement occurred in the 2017/18 and 2021/22 seasons, with the team securing thirteen points from their first five matches on both occasions. However, the subsequent trajectories of these seasons differed significantly.
2017/18 Under Jose Mourinho
In the 2017/18 season, Jose Mourinho’s side maintained consistency, finishing with their highest post-Ferguson points tally of 81. They secured second place, albeit a considerable 19 points behind eventual champions Manchester City.
2021/22 Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick
The 2021/22 season, which began strongly under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, saw a managerial change in November with Ralf Rangnick taking over as interim boss. Despite the return of Cristiano Ronaldo, the team struggled to maintain momentum, finishing sixth and a substantial 35 points behind champions City, indicating underlying issues within the club that impacted on-pitch performance.
Conclusion: A Recurring Challenge
The history of Manchester United’s Premier League seasons since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure is marked by a recurring theme of slow starts. While the club has shown resilience and the ability to recover in many of these instances, often securing European qualification or cup success, the consistent pattern of dropping points early in the campaign remains a significant challenge. The current season’s performance, mirroring past struggles, suggests that overcoming these initial hurdles is a critical factor in achieving sustained success in the highly competitive Premier League.
