Manchester United's 4-0 rout at Brentford on August 13, 2022, sparked a torrent of criticism from analysts and former players alike. BBC pundit Chris Sutton suggested the club had hit "rock bottom," while Sky Sports' Karen Carney opined that United "can't get any lower." Former captain Gary Neville labeled his old club "rotten." However, these assessments were premature. From that defeat to the end of the 2024-25 season, United's performance trend was downward, culminating in a dismal 15th-place finish—their lowest since the 1973-74 relegation.
In the years following the Brentford debacle, United made significant investments, exceeding £500 million on new signings. While there were moments of triumph—winning the EFL Cup, FA Cup, and securing Champions League qualification—the club also endured embarrassing losses. They conceded six goals in a 2022 defeat at Manchester City and suffered a record 7-0 thrashing at Liverpool in March 2023. Additionally, they were beaten 4-0 at Crystal Palace in May 2024 and narrowly avoided a similar fate in their last visit to Brentford, where late goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo made the 4-3 loss slightly more respectable.
This summer, United continued their spending spree, investing another £219.6 million on four new players. However, their preseason campaign included a humiliating 2-1 loss to League Two side Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup, marking the first time United had been defeated by a fourth-tier team. This loss was another grim milestone in their ongoing decline from the glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson.
As United prepare to return to west London this weekend, they aim to take small steps towards recovery. A victory would mark the first time they have won consecutive league matches under manager Ruben Amorim and the first time since the end of the 2023-24 season. The club's progress under Amorim has been slow, with the Portuguese coach acknowledging the unique challenges and pressures of managing at United.
"It's really hard, but I also understand it's a different club, with different pressures in a completely different league," Amorim said. "That feeling of winning and for it to be really normal to win, I struggle [with] a lot. It's in our hands to change things. We just need to win the next one and to do everything to win the next one [after that]."
The period following the Brentford loss saw United make a series of questionable transfers. Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who was initially reluctant, was eventually lured with substantial wages. His performance has been a subject of debate, with a strong first season followed by a decline in form. Another contentious signing was Antony, whom former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had valued much lower. The £81.3 million expenditure on Antony raised eyebrows, especially given Ajax's strong negotiating position.
While some new signings like Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, and Noussair Mazraoui have shown promise, others have yet to prove their worth. The club's summer signings, particularly Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, have shown encouraging form, but overall improvement has been elusive. As United navigate their ongoing struggles, the focus remains on incremental progress and a return to their former glory.
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