Man United are a shrinking leviathan – a once mighty club acting small
And on it goes, the shrinking of the leviathan that was Manchester United: now 21st in Europe’s second tier, 14th in England’s first, and not even a noisy neighbour when it comes to impact on the global stage. Whoever let it slip that United tried to hitch a ride on City’s Ballon d’Or charabanc knows how to kick a club when it’s down.
Almost as bad as another unproductive trip to the capital — only two Premier League wins in their past 18 visits — is the image of United asking City to help them cut costs on a night out in Paris. This is mighty Manchester United, acting small, appearing provincial. This is no longer just about the matches United cannot win — although that’s the root of the problem — but the corners it cuts, the labour it sheds, and the way it presents on the biggest stage.
Just last week, Erik ten Hag, the manager, was talking about his players’ resilience having earned away draws at Porto and Fenerbahce, rather overlooking the fact his team led both matches. And against Twente in the Europa League and Manchester City in the Community Shield too. These are all matches United did not win.
United’s only victories this season have come at home to Fulham and Brentford, away to bottom club Southampton and over League One Barnsley in the Carabao Cup. The swagger is gone, the intimidatory factor absent. This is not the form of a big club. United have taken one point in 12 from matches against clubs in the top eight this season. It is hard to see the upper echelons as their constituency these days.
Missed first-half chances. An absence of confidence and direction in the second-half once West Ham switched and showed some fight. Poor signings, weak attitudes. And smallness. This United look small.
The manager is dying by a thousand cuts as word spreads of a fresh round of discussions going on with the representatives of possible replacements behind his back; the latest recruitment drive appears to have thrown good money after bad. And Sir Jim Ratcliffe came in as a man of action, ducked the call that could have had an impact on this season and instead embarked on a cull of the minions.
Having failed to qualify for this season’s Champions League, another absence in 2025-26 — and a look at the league tables does not bring cause for optimism — would activate a £10million penalty clause in Manchester United’s deal with Adidas. In addition, loss of Champions League revenue can total in the region of £50million. It would also be the first time in Premier League history that United go two years without reaching Europe’s biggest competition.