United have found themselves struggling against lower league teams or bottom clubs in the Premier League, particularly since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure from the club.
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Their recent FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough was not an isolated occurrence. Manchester United have been in similar situations over the last few decades. Notably, United have found themselves struggling against lower league teams or bottom clubs in the Premier League, particularly since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure from the club.
Here we take a look at Manchester United’s top 3 embarrassing defeats.
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With the recent Saudi-led takeover, Newcastle fans may be hoping for a return of results such as the thrashing they handed Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in October 1996. Whether Dennis Irwin cleared Darren Peacock’s header off the line in the 12th minute to open the scoring became incidental, as the Geordie boys ran riot at St James’ Park.
David Ginola made it two with a stunning, curling strike from the edge of the box before half time, while Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer piled on the misery to make it 4-0 by the 75th minute. Phillipe Albert put the cherry on the cake with a stunning chip that floated over Peter Schmeichel.
But just as happened in the 1995-96 season, the 1996-97 season would see United have the last laugh as they beat Newcastle to the title once again, finishing seven points clear at the top of the table.
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The Liverpool thrashing probably pips this one to the title of ‘Most painful Premier League defeat’, but the stunning six-goal rout by City at Old Trafford still hurts United fans to even think about.
It was a tight match going into half time, with City 1-0 up through Mario Ballotelli who infamously celebrated with a top underneath his shirt that read “Why always me?”.
But when Johnny Evans was sent off in the 47th minute after bringing down Balotelli with the Italian through on goal, chaos began.
A second Balotelli goal and one for Aguero gave the visitors a 3-0 lead, and while Darren Fletcher got one back in the 81st minute, three goals in the final four minutes of the game featuring and Edin Dzeko brace a David Silva finish through De Gea’s legs completed a City victory at Old Trafford like no other before.
It felt like a defining moment for City, ‘the noisy neighbours’, who went five points clear at the top of the table and would go on to win their first Premier League title with that iconic Aguero goal in the final minutes of the season.
But Ferguson would not allow himself to bow out on such a sour note. He signed Robin Van Persie the following summer and took back the Premier League in 2012-13 before retiring.
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Until Liverpool came to visit a year later, the embarrassment against Spurs was the lowest point for Solskjaer in the Premier League with Jose Mourinho all smiles on his return to Old Trafford.
Despite Bruno Fernandes calmly slotting home a penalty in the second minute, United quickly found themselves 2-1 down with Spurs’ goals coming through Tanguy Ndombele and Son Heung-Min.
Things really heated up when Anthony Martial was sent off after being deemed to have struck Erik Lamela in the face, the Argentinian’s theatrics no doubt helping convince the referee Martial deserved to see red.
It was 4-1 by half time, Kane and Son taking advantage of United’s defence being in total disarray, but mercifully the second half only saw a Serge Aurier strike and Kane penalty go past David De Gea.
United responded well to the thumping, losing just once in their next 16 Premier League games and finishing second overall in the table.
Meanwhile, Spurs capitulated under Mourinho, who found himself sacked before the season could finish. His penultimate game was the reverse fixture against United, with Solskjaer’s determined Red Devils spearheaded by Edison Cavani getting their revenge in a 3-1 victory in North London.
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