Manchester United F.C.

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The 2024–25 season was widely regarded as one of the worst in the club's modern history. Erik ten Hag began the campaign in his third year as manager, but was dismissed in October following a poor start. Former United striker and assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy assumed interim charge before Rúben Amorim was appointed as head coach on 11 November, following his departure from Sporting CP. United finished 15th in the Premier League with 42 points—their lowest league position since 1989–90 and fewest points in a top-flight season since they were last relegated in 1973–74. In domestic cup competitions, their defence of the FA Cup ended in the fifth round with a penalty shootout defeat at home to Fulham, while they were eliminated from the EFL Cup in the quarter-finals after a 4–3 loss to Tottenham Hotspur. United reached the final of the UEFA Europa League, but were beaten 1–0 by Tottenham at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao. As a result, they failed to qualify for European competition for the first time since the 2013–14 season (and only the second time since 1989–90). It was the club's first trophyless campaign since 2021–22. In pre-season, United lost their first match against Rosenborg 1–0 after a goal in the last minute. They registered their first win against Rangers 2–0 in Scotland, with goals from Amad Diallo and Joe Hugill; newly signed defender Leny Yoro made his debut. In the U.S. tour, they lost to Arsenal 2–1 (though winning the post-match exhibition penalty shoot-out 4–3), beat Real Betis 3–2, and ended with a 3–0 loss to Liverpool. At the end of the season, United travelled to Asia to play friendlies against an ASEAN All-Stars team in Kuala Lumpur and the Hong Kong national team.

Reader's Guide

The 2024–25 Premier League campaign opened on 16 August 2024 with a 1–0 win over Fulham, substitute and debutant Joshua Zirkzee scoring the only goal in the 87th minute. United then lost 2–1 to Brighton & Hove Albion after a late João Pedro header, and suffered a 3–0 home defeat to Liverpool. A 3–0 win at Southampton followed, with goals from Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford, and substitute Alejandro Garnacho. A 0–0 draw at Crystal Palace saw Andre Onana win Premier League Save of the Month for September after a double-save. United then lost 3–0 at home to Tottenham Hotspur, with Bruno Fernandes sent off for the first time in his career. October began with a goalless draw at Aston Villa, leaving United with their worst start since 1989–90. After the international break, United beat Brentford 2–1, coming from behind with goals from Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund. The last Premier League game of October was a 2–1 loss at West Ham, where a late VAR-awarded penalty was converted by Jarrod Bowen. This was Erik ten Hag's last game as manager; he was sacked on 28 October. Under interim Ruud van Nistelrooy, United drew 1–1 with Chelsea (Bruno Fernandes penalty, Moisés Caicedo equaliser) and beat Leicester City 3–0 (Fernandes, Victor Kristiansen own goal, Garnacho). Rúben Amorim's first game in charge was a 1–1 draw at Ipswich Town, with Marcus Rashford scoring after 90 seconds and Omari Hutchinson equalising. December opened with a 4–0 home win over Everton, Rashford and Zirkzee both scoring twice. United then lost 2–0 at Arsenal, both goals from corners by Jurriën Timber and William Saliba. At home against Nottingham Forest, Forest centre back Nikola Milenković opened the scoring in just the second minute from a corner.

Did You Know?

• The 2024–25 season was the first full season since 2004–05 in which the Glazer family did not oversee football operations, following the sale of a 27.7% stake to Sir Jim Ratcliffe in February 2024.
• United finished 15th in the Premier League with 42 points—their lowest league position since 1989–90 and fewest points in a top-flight season since they were last relegated in 1973–74.
• Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the first time in his career during the 3–0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in September 2024.
• Andre Onana won Premier League Save of the Month for September 2024 after a double-save in the 0–0 draw at Crystal Palace.
• United failed to qualify for European competition for the first time since the 2013–14 season, and only the second time since 1989–90.