After Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 27.7% stake in Manchester United, expectations were high for a turnaround this season, especially following a busy summer transfer window. However, the reality has been sobering, with the club’s performance after six Premier League matches reflecting deepening concerns under manager Erik ten Hag.
Currently, United has amassed only seven points, marking the joint-lowest total for the club after the first six games of a Premier League season. They’ve scored a mere five goals, the fewest since the 2007-08 season, and have suffered back-to-back home defeats without finding the net for the first time since November 2021.
The statistics highlight a troubling trend: since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, United has lost 23 Premier League matches by three or more goals, more than in the entirety of his 1,035 league games. Despite a defense that has managed a few clean sheets this season, the team has a -3 goal difference, a stark contrast to their historical standing.
Performance metrics are equally alarming. Against Tottenham, Spurs recorded an expected goals (xG) of 4.67, the highest ever for the club in a Premier League match, while United’s own xG in their three home games totals just 4.84.
Moreover, no player has more than one league goal so far, with contributions spread thinly among several players, leaving fans and management alike increasingly concerned about the team’s direction as they look ahead to the upcoming fixtures.