Manchester United's year ends with another defeat
Manchester United 0 - 2 Newcastle United
Newcastle United secured a rare league victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, only their second since 1972, as they handed the hosts a third consecutive home defeat – a feat not seen in 45 years.
This result also marked another unwanted milestone for United, who have now suffered five league losses in a single calendar month for the first time since Sir Matt Busby’s reign in September 1962.
Eddie Howe’s side were deserved winners, with early strikes from Alexander Isak and Joelinton sealing the points and lifting Newcastle to fifth in the table to cap off a strong finish to 2024. The in-form Isak continued his hot streak, notching his 12th goal of the season and eighth in his last six matches, scoring in each of those games.
In stark contrast, Manchester United were woeful. The last time they lost three consecutive home league games was in 1979, and this performance provided little cause for optimism. Head coach Ruben Amorim’s decision to start Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in midfield backfired spectacularly, prompting an early reshuffle when he replaced Joshua Zirkzee with Kobbie Mainoo after just 33 minutes.
Super Reds Super News reaction is here - Post match review: United 0 - 2 Newcastle
Despite the struggles in front of goal – United have now gone three games without scoring – Amorim chose not to bring on Marcus Rashford, who was on the bench.
The year ends on a bleak note for United, languishing in 14th place and just seven points above the relegation zone. What began as light-hearted banter about avoiding the drop now feels uncomfortably real – especially with a daunting trip to league leaders Liverpool at Anfield looming on Sunday.
Super Reds News: Post match review: United 0 - 2 Newcastle https://t.co/s3OAR40Ble
— Super Reds News (@GMCRFootball158) December 31, 2024
Stats that will scare Manchester United fans
December has been a month to forget for Manchester United, with the team losing six matches across all competitions – only the third time in their history they've endured such a dismal run in a single month. The defensive frailties are just as alarming, with 18 goals conceded in December, matching their worst monthly tally since March 1964.
Since Ruben Amorim took charge on 24th November, only Southampton (with seven defeats) have lost more matches in all competitions among Premier League sides.
The Premier League table makes for grim reading too. United will see out New Year’s Eve in 14th place, their lowest position at the turn of the year since 1989, when they were 15th before eventually finishing 13th.
Adding to the misery, United have lost three consecutive home league matches for the first time since February 1979. It’s also the first time they’ve suffered three straight Premier League defeats in a single season since December 2015, during Louis van Gaal’s tenure.
These stats paint a troubling picture for the club, with serious work needed to turn things around.
Could they get relegated?
It has been 50 years since Manchester United was relegated from the top flight of English football. Legend has it that the great Denis Law sealed his old club's fate with a backheeled goal for Manchester City, a goal he chose not to celebrate.
However, the reality was slightly different; United's relegation in the 1973-74 season was inevitable, regardless of whether Law had scored or not.
As time passed and English football became increasingly dominated by high finance, Manchester United was able to generate more revenue than any other club. Consequently, few people believed history could ever repeat itself.
We have all got used to United not being what they were but this season has been something else, and this match - against a Newcastle side who ripped their hosts apart for 30 minutes - led to head coach Ruben Amorim uttering words it was scarcely believed imaginable.
