The Red Devils were a dominant force during the Premier League era, but when was the last time they were struck with disgrace for dropping the division?
Manchester United has won 13 league titles since 1992 and are the most successful club of the Premier League era. Under Sir Alex Ferguson, the club never finished lower than third place, and United was crowned champions in the legendary Scott’s last season at Old Trafford. Since then, the Red Devils have not won a league title.
Now that Erik ten Hag’s reign has gotten off to a dismal start and suffered back-to-back defeats to open the 2022-23 season, they once again appear to be far from that pace.
Talk of relegation may be premature, but the battle for form begs the question: When was the last time United suffered the shame of dropping a division?
Manchester United’s Last Relegation
The Red Devils’ last relegation came in the 1973–74 season, when they finished 21st with just 32 points. The Red Devils have lost 20 games this season, including his 3-0 at Arsenal in the opener and 1-0 at Stoke City in the season finale.
United’s lowest placing in the Premier League is seventh in the 2013-14 season under David Moyes, the season immediately following Ferguson’s departure. Their poor league performance saw the Red Devils fail to qualify for European competition for the first time since the 1989–90 season.
Their worst points tally in the Premier League came in the season 2021-22, when they scored just 58 points in 38 games. 1999 Treble-winning hero Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked midway through the season and Ralf Rangnick has failed to find an increase in assets following his provisional appointment.
United have struggled recently, but have gone much worse in history. Since forming as a club in 1878, they have been relegated five times, including the former name Newton Heath LYR. One time at F.C. is also included.
When Exactly Did Manchester United Get Relegated?
Before the Premier League was formed, Manchester United spent most of their time in the First Division. After one season in the Second Division, Manchester United returned to the big leagues as champions in 1975.
Manchester United were relegated four times before getting relegated during 1970s – in 1894, 1922, 1931 and 1937.
Although they needed a win over Millwall on the final day of the 1934 season to avoid relegation, they have never played lower than the second tier of English football. United, duly defeated the London club by 2–0, skipping the Lions in the table to be relegated instead.
United are part of his elite group of six who have played in each Premier League season alongside Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham since their formation in 1992.
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