Manchester United haven’t exactly been setting the world on fire during the first portion of the English Premier League season.
That start got even worse overnight as they fell to Derby County in the League Cup.
Yes, you read that right. The English Premier League outfit have fallen from a great height and lost to a side who couldn’t even gain promotion out of the second tier last year.
In fact, they are currently running sixth in the second-level competition, having lost to Rotherham and drawn with Blackburn in two of their last three encounters.
While Derby only got the better of them on penalties in the end, Manchester United still let two goals in and are officially in crisis mode, struggling at both ends of the park.
What made it even worse? They drew with Derby County at Old Trafford.
This is a team with what is understood to be a wage bill nort of 200 million pounds, compared to Derby’s roughly 34.6 million.
Back in the Premier League, United had a disastrous one-all draw with the Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday and, with losses to Brighton and Tottenham Hotspur, already under the belt this season, things don’t look like improving anytime soon.
Having won just three of their six league games United are sitting seventh on the table and while there is a long, long way to go, prospects of a top-six finish are looking grim unless they can turn things around.
Manager Jose Mourinho has already told the squad Paul Pogba will never captain the club again under his watch, with the French World Cup winner likely to be on the way out during the transfer window, while the manager himself told reporters his side hadn’t lost following their 3-0 debacle at the hands of Tottenham.
The Red Devils are officially in free fall and with a road trip to London for a match against West Ham this week, it’s a must-win game to take some pressure off the struggling club.
We can only fear just how Manchester United’s upcoming games are going to go. In the next month, they will face Valencia and Juventus during the Champions League, as well as Chelsea in the Premier League.
It could be a rough stretch ahead for Mourinho, his players and supporters of the formerly fearsome, but now lacking bite red devils.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Nem, I don’t disagree with you but sadly times have changed and the stakes are so much higher. The UEFA Cup only has value if it is a stepping stone, so they will need to win either the EPL or Champions League this season. In the UK the league title carries far more weight than the champions league and if it is City and Liverpool at the top, that will be hard for Utd as a whole to swallow. Didn’t he win the League cup as well? That comp is nice while you are in it but nobody really cares when knocked out. Trouble is the FA Cup has gone that way too these days. Do we feel the same about the FFA Cup here? This season the competition could do with an all Sydney final as it will up the ante somewhat and produce a good crowd....well, it is the best chance they have.
Nemesis
Guest
To be fair to Mourinho, since coming to ManUtd he's won the Europa Cup & finished 2nd in the EPL last season. Klopp has won nothing with Liverpool. His 3 seasons in EPL he's finished: 8, 4,4. Pochettino has won nothing with Spurs. His 4 seasons in EPL he's finished: 5, 3, 2, 3 But, both are considered hugely successful at their respective clubs.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
A few seasons ago (2014) they went out of the League Cup to Milton Keynes Dons 4-0 so thecrisis must be lasting a long time. I think a more balanced viewmight be to say that the club is not enjoying the lwvel of success that they thought they were paying for when appointing Jose Mourinho. The English press will talk up every piece of negativity they can source or make up as newspapers still sell well in the uk. The only negative that I am fairly sure is true, but based on anecdotal evidence from supporters in the uk is that the fans still don’t like the style the team is playing but will accept if it brings results, particularly against Man City and Liverpool. On a separate note, After the world cup, I bet my brother (a united fan) that JM will not be their manager at the end of this season...... we shall wait and see.
Nemesis
Guest
"The English Premier League outfit have fallen from a great height and lost to a side who couldn’t even gain promotion out of the second tier last year." That's the problem with young writers, who only know the recent history of English football. For those who follow English football for a longer period of time, this sort of result is not uncommon. In 1995/96, Man United was kicked out of the League Cup in Round 2. Not Round 3, but Round 2. And, to add greater insult to injury, Man Utd were kicked out by York City, who were in the 3rd Division. Not the 2nd Division, the 3rd Division & that season York City ended up just avoiding Relegation to the 4th Division. Wasn't a narrow loss on penalties. The Round 2 tie was played over 2 legs & Man Utd lost at home 0-3. They won the away leg 3-1, but it was not enough. Manger that year? A bloke called Alex Ferguson. Oh, by the way. The previous season, Man Utd had finished 2nd in the EPL .. sound familiar? And, for those who might not have been alive in 1995/96, Man Utd stormed home in the final months that season to win the EPL. So, out of the League Cup in Rd 2 to a 3rd Division team. Won the EPL.