Six points in Man Utd’s season when you thought things couldn’t get any worse

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Manchester United entered the season as title challengers having finished in second place last season behind Manchester City.

The additions of Jadon Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane were deemed as the missing piece to the puzzle as United looked to win their first Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Being 15 points behind league leaders Man City at the end of February has ended any chance of finishing top this season and though the campaign is not over and there is still a chance for silverware, the UEFA Champions League, it's looking like a lost season for a club tipped for success during the summer but having to settle for a top-four finish at best when it's all said and done.

From sacking their manager in November to failing to bolster squad in the January transfer window Daily Star Sport has taken a look at six points this season where things have gone terribly wrong for Manchester United.

Midfield issues

Man United headed into the 2021-22 season knowing a central midfielder was needed in the summer transfer window.

When it shut without one arriving, fans were left bewildered.

Nemanja Matic is no longer the force he once was and is limited due to age by how many games he can play in succession.

The pairing of Fred and Scott McTominay has it's moments but can often be found wanting on the ball, not just against top opposition but teams United should be beating handidly.

Donny van de Beek looked great for Ajax but has struggled for game time since arriving at Old Trafford in 2020.

So with all that, it made sense for the club to delve into the transfer market and bolster an area of the pitch that has been neglected for years.

Instead, Solskjaer signed a centreback, a striker and a right winger and United have too often lost the midfield battle in games regardless who is there wearing red.

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Young Boys loss

A club the size of Manchester United in 2021 should not be losing to Young Boys in the UEFA Champions League.

But on the opening game of the group stage, the Swiss club stunned European football by coming from behind to beat the three time European champions.

Despite Ronaldo giving his side the lead, Aaron Wan-Bissaka was sent off midway through the first half and two second-half goals from Young Boys, including one in the last minute-secured a shocking victory against a side that boasted Paul Pogba, Jadon Sancho, David de Gea, Bruno Fernandes and the aforementioned Ronaldo.

Liverpool and City defeats

Team's never want to lose to their rivals in any game. But the manner of the defeats to Man City and Liverpool in the first half of the season was shocking and was a wake up call to just how far behind the club were behind others in the league.

Liverpool headed to Old Trafford at the end of October sensing things were falling apart in Manchester.

United were coming off the back of a 4-2 defeat to Leicester City in the league and morale was low.

What took place on October 24 was a United side that failed to turn up and were 4-0, at Old Trafford, inside 45 minutes.

That Liverpool only scored one more in the second half owed more to Jurgen Klopp's side taking their foot off the gas.

For many, that defeat should have been the end for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign at United but a week later, United beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 in match that was dubbed 'loser gets fired.'

Nuno Espirito Santon lost his job and Solskjaer headed into the Manchester derby with some momentum.

90 minutes later that was gone when City handedly won 2-0 and again, the scoreline staying as low as it did was more to do with Pep Guardiola's side taking mercy on their rivals as opposed to United being in the game at any point that afternoon.

Ole's sacking

That Solskjaer made it into the Watford game with his job in tact said a lot about the state of the club in 2021.

Fans inside stadiums had yet to fully turn against the club legend but those on social media had seen enough and by the end of the Watford game on November 2nd, so had the board.

The Hornets were struggling for consitensy and points but managed to put four past United in the Norwegian's final game in charge.

United once again found themselves 2-0 down at the break and out of favour midfielder Donny van de Beek pulled a goal back in the second half.

But club captain Harry Maguire was shown a red card with 20 minutes to go, all but ending hopes of a fightback.

Two more goals in the 90th minute put the final nail in the coffin for Solskjaer who was sacked the following morning after three years at the helm.

Quiet January

With hopes of winning the Premier League for the first time since 2013 over in January, there was an expectation that interim manager Ralf Rangnick would be given the opportunity to strengthen the first-team and secure a top-four finish in the Premier League.

The first-half of the season had once again highlighted just how light United were in midfield and that reinforcements in that area of the pitch was a priority, like it had been in the summer.

The team were linked with a plethora of players across the world and allowed Donny van de Beek to leave on loan and join Premier League side Everton.

Anthony Martial was also allowed to depart, joining Sevilla on loan, but no-one joined the club in the winter transfer window.

Early FA Cup exit

Manchester United's last realistic hope of silverware was the FA Cup.

With the Premier League out of reach in January and hope of winning the UEFA Champions League slim to none, the FA Cup represented an achievable goal for United to end the season on a high.

After scraping past Aston Villa in the third round, the Red Devils were drawn Championship side Middlesbrough at home in the fourth round.

Under the lights on a Friday night, Ralf Rangnick put out a strong side in order to give his side the best possible chance progress.

Things were looking good when United were handed a penalty, only for Cristiano Ronaldo to see his effort side.

United did take the lead through Jadon Sancho but failed to put the game beyond reach and missed a boatload of chances, including Bruno Fernandes missing an open goal.

Matt Crooks pulled the visiting side level and with no more goals in normal or extra time, the match went to penalties.

In a cruel twist of fate, teenage sensation Anthony Elanga missed to send Boro through 8-7 on penalties and ultimately ended United's season at the start of February, leaving them with just a top-four finish to play for.

• Champions League
• FA Cup
• Cristiano Ronaldo
• Sir Alex Ferguson

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