Manchester United's fall-off over the past year has been stark, with the Red Devils slumping in 13th place in the Premier League.
There are many ways to measure Manchester United's awful year. Despite the team's FA Cup success last season, the league form was wretched throughout 2024.
A change in manager has seen Ruben Amorim replace Erik ten Hag, and he is looking to course correct in a hopefully more positive 2025.
Manchester United fall
One measuring stick used to assess a team's progress is Opta's Global Power Ranking index, which assesses team performance across world leagues.
It was not so long ago that Manchester United were ranked among the best, back in April 2023 amid a very successful run with Erik ten Hag.
Having just lifted the Carabao Cup, inspired by Marcus Rashford on the way to a career-best 30-goal season, United were flying high.
Opta's index ranked Manchester United eighth in the world, with a 93.4 score rating, ahead of Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan.
The Manchester United of 2025, that closed out 2024 with a four consecutive losses, find themselves in a very different position.
The latest set of figures released via Opta gives United a score rating of 89.5, which on the face of it looks like a small drop-off, until placed in context
Manchester United are now ranked 38th in the world, below Club Brugge, Fulham, Al-Hilal, Bournemouth, Benfica, Lille and Bologna among many others.
This is not the group of clubs United want to be surrounded by, and yet it is reflective of the team's performances and results over the past 12 months.
Manchester United need a winning streak
Manchester United need to turn the current situation around, and that begins with winning matches, to build on the draw with Liverpool at the weekend.
United face Arsenal away in the FA Cup, a tricky fixture, before a home game at Old Trafford against Southampton in the Premier League.
United also face games against Brighton (h) and Fulham (a), along with Europa League games against Rangers (h) and FSCB (a) later this month.
After an unhappy spell of form to end last year, United need to get back on track, to get some self-respect back, and the respect from supporters.
Comments