What is Man Utd's worst finish in Premier League history? | OneFootball

There may not be a more significant turning point in Premier League history than Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.

Manchester United were the club while the Scotsman marauded the home dugout at Old Trafford as he led the Red Devils to 13 Premier League titles. Man Utd were the grand institution the rest of the division looked upon with envy.

Despite threats emerging via Jack Walker's cash, Arsene Wenger and Iberian pragmatists, United's success was sustained during Sir Alex's reign. His retirement in 2013 left the club entrenched in doubt and unfamiliarity.

As a result, the results over the past decade often haven't been pretty. Peaks have proven to be mere false dawns, while the troughs have been nothing short of humiliating. Nine of the club's ten worst seasons of the Premier League era have arrived since David Moyes succeeded Ferguson at the Theatre of Dreams.

But what was United's worst Premier League campaign? Let's take a look.

Ralf Rangnick's interim tenure was disastrous / Alex Livesey/GettyImages

United have appointed the likes of Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Erik ten Hag in a bid to restore their past glories, but each have overseen miserable seasons at Old Trafford after showing initial promise.

2023/24 is not yet in the books, but it may end as United's worst in Premier League history. Ten Hag had offered a glimmer of optimism in year one, but his second season has proven to be nothing short of a nightmare. United have notched 57 points with a trip to Brighton remaining. Victory would see them sail past their 58-point haul of 2021/22, while a draw would match it.

2021/22 saw the end of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Man Utd boss and Ralf Rangnick finish the season as interim coach. His reign was disastrous, with Rangnick performing so poorly on the touchline that the initial plan of having him work in a hierarchical role after was scrapped.

The post-Fergie collapse started with Moyes, who was simply never capable of leading a club of United's calibre. The Scot was doomed from the outset despite inheriting a title-winning squad. United's core was ageing and a minimal refresh saw them record a mere 64 points in 2013/14.

Mourinho's first two seasons brought two pieces of silverware and a second-place finishes, but third-seasons Jose syndrome struck as he was dismissed midway through the 2018/19 season with his side seemingly bereft of any direction. If it wasn't for the new manager bounce Solskjaer brought in the new year, United would have finished with much fewer than 66 points.

They matched their tally from 2015/16, although they did finish a place higher (fifth) during Van Gaal's second and final season. The revolution that was promised never materialised in Manchester, with Van Gaal's United characterised by collective cohesion and solidity but dreary possession play. They were incredibly dull, scoring just 49 goals in 2015/16, their lowest haul in Premier League history.

Van Gaal went out on a high as he lifted the FA Cup, but United had already planned to replace the Dutchman with Mourinho.