Grab the popcorn, because this could be a Manchester United campaign filled with remarkable drama, worthy of even the greatest disaster movies from the 1970s, which is coincidentally the decade when this titanic football club last sank to its lowest ever depths.

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The Last Time United Suffered Relegation

Back in the early 70s, after the glittering managerial career of Sir Matt Busby and his babes had concluded, the Red Devils had struggled to replace the great man. Wilf McGuinness took the helm and was fired midway through his second season in charge, forcing Busby to take temporary charge for the remainder of the 1970-71 campaign.

Then came Frank O’Farrell, who also buckled under the pressure, and was likewise gone midway through the 1972-73 season, replaced by the larger than life figure of Tommy Docherty. The once mighty Man United narrowly avoided relegation, as the era of the famed ‘holy trinity’ ended. Wayward genius George Best had already departed for good, Bobby Charlton retired, and Denis Law was handed a free transfer.

As fate would have it, one of that legendary trio would come back to haunt his former club. Still very much part of English football mythology, Denis Law is often credited with relegating Manchester United, even if that is not strictly true. His cheeky backheeled goal for cross-town rivals Manchester City remains an iconic image, followed by the emotionally devastated Scotsman refusing to celebrate.

But the fact of the matter is that on that penultimate day of the 1973-74 season, regardless of the result against Man City, results elsewhere needed to favour Man United and of course, they didn’t. Awful results throughout the campaign and a previous loss against Everton had all but hammered the nail in their coffin, as they were forced to endure the drop alongside Norwich City and Southampton.

The Decade Of Decline At Old Trafford

Since the last time Manchester United were relegated, they eventually went on to become the most successful club in English football history, sparked by the Premier League era and with Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm for 26 years. During that glittering time, the indomitable Scottish manager led the team to 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cup wins, and two UEFA Champions League triumphs.

But once Ferguson announced his retirement in 2013, everything began to head southwards from there. David Moyes lasted less than a season, then experienced Louis van Gaal was never appreciated and eventually ousted, even after winning the FA Cup in 2015-16. Brief hopes arrived in the shape of Jose Mourinho, who immediately led United to silverware in 2016-17, winning a double of the EFL Cup and the UEFA Europa League.

Yet even the ‘Special One’ ultimately failed as the post-Ferguson decline continued, with Mourinho sacked by December 2018. Then came the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the helm, and even the popular former striker would suffer the Old Trafford managerial curse. The Norwegian lasted until November 2021, when the wheels of his tenure finally fell off.

United Failed To Acknowledge Many Problems

During his time as interim boss, Ralf Rangnick was openly critical of how the club was being run, suggesting the whole structure needed changing. He also highlighted the need to overhaul practically the entire playing squad, which the paymasters at Old Trafford obviously didn’t enjoy hearing. Although supposed to stay on as a consultant, Rangnick was pushed aside once Erik ten Hag was announced as the new manager.

Although there were high hopes for the former Ajax manager, his tenure at Manchester United couldn’t have begun any worse. As if the frustrating 2-1 defeat at home against Brighton wasn’t bad enough, the second Premier League game of the 2022-23 campaign was an absolute disaster, thrashed 4-0 away at Brentford.

Now bottom of the Premier League for the first time since the start of the 1992-93 season, when Ferguson ultimately turned things around and led United to the title, although this time feels hugely different. Checking through the latest evaluations for the best football betting sites, based upon an expert overview of bonuses and markets available, oddsmakers remain cautious. They don’t believe the Red Devils will go down, although relegation odds have shortened.

Recruitment problems have persisted into the tenure of the new head coach, key signings have failed to arrive in areas of the team they are most needed, while overpaid existing players perform woefully. Ten Hag certainly has his work cut out for him on the road ahead, and while relegation might not be the biggest fear just now, this United side does look incapable of challenging for honours. And that’s the harsh reality check.