Man Utd two losses away from equalling club's most-defeats record in Premier League

"We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United." These were the words uttered by Ruben Amorim just over a month ago following the humiliating 1-3 home defeat to Brighton on January 19. While the Portuguese's statement was a 'maybe', his words may soon become a statistical fact if the Red Devils continue to head in this direction.

Amorim's arrival in November after Erik ten Hag's sacking alluded Man United supporters with hopes of a new beginning at Old Trafford. At Sporting Lisbon, the 40-year-old head coach managed to conquer to league title in just over three years, bidding farewell to the club following the 3-1 victory over Nacional on October 19.

But having recently slipped down to 15th in the Premier League, he hasn't been able to replicate the same form in England. Despite being safe from the relegation zone, as they hold a 12-point cushion over the bottom three, the Red Devils' dismal results in the English top flight this season are setting unwanted records at the club.

Sunday's 1-0 upset at Tottenham was the United's 12th defeat in 25 matches in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign. This means that they have been defeated almost 50% of the time in the league this term, marking their second-worst losing record since the ‘Premier League Era’ began in 1992/93.

Until a year ago, Man United's worst seasons in the Premier League - 2013/14 and 2021/22 - ended with 12 defeats each. In the first one, the club endured a torrid time in their first season without Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired from his management in the summer of 2013. With David Moyes in the dugout, the Red Devils lost a dozen of their games to finish off in 7th place. The 2021/22 term, the one that marked Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford, was hit by inconsistency. Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer began a campaign that concluded with Ralf Rangnick in charge where United placed 6th with 16 wins, 10 draws and 12 losses.

There are still months left until the end of the current term, but Man United, with both Ten Hag and Amorim at fault, have already hit the 12th defeat mark. In his last full season in England, the Dutchman had the undesirable honour of leading the club to its worst season ever in the Premier League as he terminated the 2023/24 season in 14th position with 14 defeats. His only bright spot in that gloomy period was his FA Cup triumph over local rivals Manchester City.

With 13 matchdays still left to play in the English top flight, Amorim is on track to carve his name into Manchester United's dark history. To avoid this, the Portuguese must somehow turn his side's fortunes around dramatically and avoid losing three games until the end of the Premier League season.