Manchester United Unwanted First: A PL Campaign Without Consecutive Victories
For a club with a history as rich and decorated as Manchester United’s, breaking records has long been part of its DNA—usually for the right reasons. From legendary title-winning streaks under Sir Alex Ferguson to iconic European nights, the Red Devils have been synonymous with glory. But the 2024/25 Premier League season delivered a different kind of record—one the fans and the club would rather forget.
For the first time in the Premier League era, Manchester United completed a full campaign without winning back-to-back league matches. It’s an unprecedented collapse in consistency, and a damning reflection of a turbulent season marked by injuries, tactical confusion, and questions over leadership on and off the pitch.
The Statistical Anomaly
A team finishing in mid-table or lower might not attract as much scrutiny for a stat like this. But Manchester United, the 20-time league champions, carry different expectations. Throughout the 38-game Premier League season, they alternated between isolated wins, disappointing draws, and frequent defeats—never managing to string together more than a single win before dropping points again.
A look at the season’s timeline reveals the issue clearly. Each time United managed a hard-fought win—against Crystal Palace in September, Chelsea in December, or Newcastle in April—it was quickly followed by an uninspiring draw or a deflating defeat. The rhythm never developed, momentum was always fleeting, and with every opportunity to build form, United stumbled.
This inconsistency didn’t just cost them a top-four finish—it severely undermined any hope of challenging for domestic or European honors.
Managerial Pressure Mounts
At the center of the storm was manager Erik ten Hag. After a promising first season that saw United win the Carabao Cup and finish in the top four, expectations were high heading into 2024/25. However, injuries to key players, tactical misfires, and questionable squad rotations saw the team spiral into a pattern of unpredictability.
Ten Hag defended his players throughout the season, emphasizing the impact of fitness issues and a lack of squad depth.
> “When you can’t field a settled eleven, it’s difficult to find rhythm. We’ve had to adjust constantly. But I still believe in the project,” he said during a post-match press conference in March.
Yet belief alone wasn’t enough. The fans grew restless as the campaign dragged on, and questions about whether Ten Hag could guide United back to the elite level became louder. His insistence on playing out from the back despite frequent defensive errors, coupled with underwhelming performances in big games, put him under intense scrutiny.
By May, speculation over his future reached fever pitch. While the club remained non-committal publicly, insiders suggested that the board was evaluating all options—especially as INEOS’ sporting overhaul began to take shape under Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
A Broken Midfield and Defensive Disarray
One of the primary culprits behind the lack of momentum was the disjointed midfield. Casemiro, once the anchor of Ten Hag’s setup, looked increasingly off the pace. Injuries to Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen left the creative responsibilities in flux, and while young Kobbie Mainoo showed great promise, the pressure on his teenage shoulders was enormous.
The defense wasn’t spared either. Lisandro Martínez spent most of the season sidelined, Raphael Varane’s minutes were managed cautiously, and new signing Jonny Evans—brought in for squad depth—was often forced into starting roles. The instability at the back meant United struggled to control games, often conceding early or crumbling under pressure late on.
The result was a season where clean sheets were rare, and confidence was even rarer.
Bruno, Rashford, and the Forward Conundrum
Captain Bruno Fernandes often carried the team in attacking phases, finishing the season as United’s top creator and joint-leading scorer. However, even his influence couldn’t lift the team to sustained form. Fernandes was visibly frustrated in many matches, gesturing and urging teammates to press or show more urgency.
Marcus Rashford’s form, meanwhile, was perhaps the most baffling. After a career-best 2022/23 campaign, Rashford regressed sharply. His goal tally was disappointing, his body language drew criticism, and rumors swirled of discontent behind the scenes. Jadon Sancho remained exiled, Anthony Martial spent more time injured than available, and while Rasmus Højlund had promising spells, he lacked service and consistency.
United’s forward line, once feared across Europe, became toothless against organized defenses. When you can’t score regularly, and you can’t defend consistently, wins become rare. Consecutive wins? Near impossible.
The Weight of History
To go a full Premier League season without stringing two wins together is not just an unwanted record—it’s a stark contrast to what Manchester United used to be.
Under Ferguson, winning streaks were the norm. Even under less successful managers like Mourinho or Solskjær, the team could generate momentum for weeks at a time. That this group couldn’t manage it once across nine months speaks volumes about the problems festering within the club.
It also feeds into a larger narrative: United have become a reactive club, constantly chasing stability rather than building it.
Former players and pundits haven’t held back. Roy Keane called the team “mentally weak,” while Gary Neville questioned the direction of the football department.
> “There’s no plan, no footballing identity. And now, not even the basics like winning back-to-back games. That’s unacceptable for Manchester United,” Neville said on Sky Sports.
Looking Ahead: Change Inevitable?
The 2025 summer promises to be decisive. With Ratcliffe and INEOS now steering football operations, major changes are expected. A new sporting director is in place, and recruitment strategy is being reviewed from top to bottom.
For Ten Hag, the future is uncertain. While some within the club admire his work ethic and tactical ideals, results ultimately dictate job security—and United’s unwanted streak could tip the scales against him.
The squad, too, will likely see a major overhaul. Senior players could be moved on, underperforming stars might be sold, and a new core built around youth and energy could emerge. Players like Mainoo, Garnacho, and Højlund offer a glimpse of what the next generation could look like—but they’ll need help, experience, and proper development.
A Season to Forget—but a Warning to Heed
For United fans, 2024/25 was not just disappointing—it was a wake-up call. The absence of consecutive victories is symbolic of deeper issues: fractured team chemistry, poor planning, and a lack of resilience. It’s a blemish on the club’s proud legacy, and a warning that even the giants of world football aren’t immune to decline if not properly managed.
But if there’s one silver lining, it’s that hitting rock bottom often precedes a reset.
Manchester United now face a choice: continue stumbling in the dark or rediscover the principles that once made them the gold standard of English football. The next chapter will depend not just on new signings or tactical tweaks—but on rebuilding the culture, unity, and hunger that defined their glory days.
Until then, the record stands as a painful reminder: a Premier League campaign without consecutive wins—for Manchester United, that’s not just unwanted. It’s unthinkable.
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