Manchester United have made their worst start to a Premier League season after a 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth on Sunday left them with just seven points from their opening eight matches.
Michael Carrick’s side have won once, drawn four times and lost three games. That leaves them 16th in the table, just one point clear of the relegation zone.
Their previous lowest points total at this stage of a Premier League campaign was nine, recorded in 2019-20 under Ole Gunnar Solskjær. United recovered that season to finish third, but their current position leaves little room for complacency. It is only the third time the club have occupied a place in the bottom half after eight matches. The other occasion came in 2024-25, when they had 11 points.
Difficult Start in Europe
United’s struggles have extended to the Champions League, where they have taken three points from their opening three matches. A 4-0 victory over Sabah offered an encouraging start, but defeats by Atletico Madrid (2-0) and Como (4-1) have left them 21st in the league phase table.
It is only the third time since winning the competition in 1999 that United have managed just one victory in their first three Champions League matches. They had similar starts in 2000-01 and 2023-24.
The results follow a season in which Carrick guided United towards Champions League qualification. He earned the permanent job after replacing Ruben Amorim.
Confidence Drains Away
Confidence is now draining away. Carrick received applause as he left the pitch against Bournemouth, while supporters booed the players.
Captain Bruno Fernandes was left out of the starting line-up following criticism of the manager’s tactics after the Como defeat. Carrick’s decision not to introduce him against Bournemouth has added another layer of scrutiny as United attempt to turn their season around.