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Manchester United are entering a new era following the departure of manager Erik ten Hag.
Earlier today, Man United officially announced that Ten Hag left the club, leaving Ruud van Nistelrooy as the interim manager while the hunt for a permanent replacement gets underway.
While fan frustration has continuously mounted due to the club’s constant poor performances under Ten Hag, the frightening depth to which United sunk under the former Ajax boss becomes even more evident when reflecting on some harrowing statistics.
United had an xG performance of -7.69 to date this season, according to WhoScored, making them the biggest underperformers in the Premier League and the second worst across Europe’s top five leagues, with only Real Betis emerging as bigger underperformers.
Sadly, the shocking statistics highlighting United’s struggles didn’t end there.
United’s shocking xG translated fairly accurately to the actual amount of goals scored in the Premier League to date. Statman Dave took to X to share just how badly United have performed in front of goal.
“Since the start of last season, Manchester United have scored 65 and conceded 69 in the Premier League — giving them a goal difference of -4. Unsustainable. Time for a change,” Statman Dave posted on X.
https://x.com/StatmanDave/status/1850881903844274573
Of course, as the WhoScored article explained, this season has been particularly problematic for United, with the team scoring just eight goals in their first nine matches of the season. Only the newly-promoted Southampton and strugglers Crystal Palace have scored fewer goals.
Having scored so few goals, United now find themselves in 14th place in the league, closer to the relegation zone than the race for the Premier League title.
Yet another Statman Dave X post exhibited just how alarming United’s league position is.
“When Manchester United were relegated in 1973/1974, they won 3 of their first 9 games and scored just 8 goals,” Statman Dave explained. “So far this season, Manchester United have won 3 of their 9 games and have scored just 8 goals.”
https://x.com/StatmanDave/status/1850839668247474651
Shockingly, United’s performance to date has mirrored their 1973/74 campaign exactly.
Given these harrowing statistics, it only makes sense for United to part ways with Ten Hag before things get even worse. While it’s never easy to switch managers mid-season, it’s best that the club does so now so as to have any chance of turning things around and salvaging what’s left of the season.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
