For two full decades, Manchester United were the undisputed kings of the Premier League. 13 titles came during the first 20 years of the competition, but United were by no means flawless during that time.
Even more - since the departure of Alex Ferguson in 2013, things have taken a turn at the club, with United struggling to mix it with the best in English and European football.
With the international break upon us, we've taken a look back at some of the lowest points in Manchester United's Premier League history - here are their five worst performances since the inaugural season in 1992-93.
The five worst Manchester United performances in Premier League history
Honourable mentions
- Manchester United 1-6 Tottenham Hotspur (2020-21) - Very close to making the list, the defence was an absolute shambles in this COVID-era game
- Chelsea 4-0 Manchester United (2016-17) - A shocking return to Stamford Bridge for new boss Jose Mourinho, United looked half asleep
- Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City (2011-12) - Certainly the most momentous here, but wasn't as bad a performance as it would seem, given three of the goals came in injury time
5. Newcastle United 5-0 Manchester United (1996-97)
The source of one of the Premier League's most iconic goals was also the start of a horrific early-season run of form for Manchester United.
Philippe Albert's incredible lob on Peter Schmeichel was the fifth goal Newcastle managed against the team that had usurped them to the title the previous season.
Iconic Moment from Phillipe Albert 👏 #NUFC pic.twitter.com/lmnXxyUzFe
— ToonArmy (@toonarmy_com) October 19, 2020
Though Manchester United would go on to win the Premier League again in 1996-97 (again with Newcastle in second), this game would kickstart a shocking run of form that saw them ship six in their next game (read on...) and lose a third game in a row two weeks later to Chelsea.
Not Fergie and co's finest hour.
READ HERE: Manchester United History: The Premier League Era
4. Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool (2013-14)
The defeat that began the process of David Moyes leaving Old Trafford was one of the most embarrassing in United's history.
Some farcical defending saw three penalties given away by three different Manchester United defenders, with captain Nemanja Vidic sent off for one of the offences.
Though he would miss one of his spot kicks, chief Merseyside villain of the Stretford End Steven Gerrard converted two to put Liverpool ahead, before Luis Suarez found an outrageous pocket of space to put Liverpool 3-0 up.
A humiliating defeat at home to their biggest rivals, and nothing of substance to show for their performance. This defeat saw United slip to 7th in the table, where they would eventually finish - their first time outside the top three in Premier League history.
3. Southampton 6-3 Manchester United (1996-97)
Another low point of the 1996-97 season saw United concede six away to Southampton at The Dell - incredibly, just a week after the embarrassment in Newcastle.
A spectacularly bearded Roy Keane was a season away from becoming club captain, and he saw red for a second yellow after a shocking challenge early in the game.
United were already 1-0 down when Keane was dismissed, and things went from bad to worse. A stunning chip from Matt Le Tissier was the best of the Saints' goals (capped by the slow rise of the crowd behind the goal), and they would go on to score six against an out of sorts United.
The only saving grace here was that Alex Ferguson's side managed to score three of their own. It remains one of only three times in Premier League history that United conceded six goals.
READ HERE: Remembering Roy Keane's Final Match For Manchester United
2. Brentford 4-0 Manchester United (2022-23)
We're very close to recent times here, but this game was so shocking that it has to slot in here on less than two months notice.
Brentford were a solid addition to the Premier League last year but, even after United fell to Brighton on the opening day of this season, nobody expected the Bees to put four past them.
Not only did they do that - they did it in the opening 35 minutes. A clanger from David de Gea for the first goal set the tone, and United looked absolutely shellshocked throughout. They played like ghosts, allowing Brentford to waltz through them, while another de Gea error directly led to their second goal.
United fans will hope their recent turnaround in form is a better reflection of where the team is at this season than this absolute shocker.
READ HERE: The 10 Worst Signings Of Manchester United's Banter Era
1. Manchester United 0-5 Liverpool (2021-22)
The most shocking and unforgivable of all of the defeats for Manchester United fans.
Make no mistake, this Liverpool team are one of the best in the world, and there is no shame in losing to them - but the manner in which United fell to Jurgen Klopp's side last October was astonishing.
Liverpool were 4-0 up by half-time, with Mo Salah sealing a hat-trick before the hour mark. United's high line completely backfired, and Liverpool looked like they were strolling around the penalty area in the buildup to several of their goals. A red card for Paul Pogba was the final horrendous addition to the performance - and it came after Liverpool's fifth goal.
Despite a poor defeat to Leicester the week before, United fans were hopeful that a team containing the recently returned Cristiano Ronaldo would put it up to Liverpool. Instead, they were plainly humiliated on home turf, with Liverpool fans singing "Ole's at the wheel" to mock the home side's enthusiasm for their manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Things fell apart from here for United, and we've certainly never seen them play worse in the Premier League.
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