Manchester United’s Champions League loss in Copenhagen earlier this year was humiliating. Over the past decade, these spineless Red Devils defeats have become more common. United have barely resembled Sir Alex Ferguson’s intimidating force after 27 years, and Erik ten Hag is the latest manager to fail to emulate him.
Since over ten years have passed since perhaps the greatest manager of all time retired, at GIVEMESPORT, we looked at five of Manchester United’s most embarrassing defeats. Every permanent manager since Ferguson has managed at least one of these losses.
Manchester City 4-1 United
In the first season after Ferguson retired, United’s deadliest opponents won the match that arguably changed Manchester’s power balance. This destruction helped Manchester City win their second Premier League title after several stunning derby wins since Sheikh Mansour’s wealth arrived. Under Moyes, United finished seventh, their lowest league finish ever, and have finished below City every season thereafter.
MK Dons 4-0 Man U
One of Ferguson’s successors has escaped this list, but his time has come. Louis van Gaal’s side faced MK Dons in the League Cup’s second round after losing their previous two matches. The Dutchman was wrong to think this would be his first win as the Dons tormented a young, inexperienced United team and won 4-0 on their most famous night in their short history.
Manchester United 0-5 Liverpool
Liverpool fans viewing this list for schadenfreude must have wondered when their name will appear. United’s biggest home loss in the matchup and the first time they had allowed five without reply in a competitive encounter since 1955 came in October 2021 when the Reds shred their opponents. Their fans never imagined losing to Liverpool by a bigger margin 18 months later.
Manchester United 1-6 Tottenham Hotspur
This is the lone lockdown event that spared United fans from witnessing their team lose live. An odd Sunday saw Liverpool lose 7-2 at Aston Villa and the Red Devils lose 6 at home to a Tottenham team managed by Jose Mourinho, who would have welcomed his return to Old Trafford. The loss was Man United’s worst since Sir Alex retired.
Liverpool 7-0 Man U.
When Sir Alex Ferguson led Manchester United to their 13th Premier League title less than ten years ago, no one could have predicted how much they would lose at Anfield. Liverpool went into halftime 1-0 up after an even first half, but early in the second half, it was evident the United players did not have the stomach for the harsh Anfield atmosphere, and Liverpool took advantage. Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah, and Roberto Firmino scored in their final match against the Red Devils, who lost their worst match ever in the 128-year-old rivalry.