Manchester United won another big game to keep command of third place. This season could have been even better.
After finishing last season in an embarrassing 15th place, Manchester United have made terrific progress to leap to third place in 2025/26.
And while uncertain whether we will ultimately finish third, fourth or fifth, a top five place looks totally assured at this stage.
So while we are proud of the team for their progress, there is one major source of frustration that leaves us thinking ‘what might have been?’
Here’s how the Premier League table looks now this weekend’s games are complete – Confident??
There's no way United will blow a top five place!
Manchester United record against Premier League bottom six
Manchester United’s record against the Premier League’s bottom six has been disappointing this season.
Let’s break down the results to date, looking over the dropped points…
- Vs Wolves: 4-1 win (A), 1-1 draw (H)
- Vs Burnley: 3-2 win (H), 2-2 draw (A)
- Vs Tottenham: 2-0 win (H), 2-2 draw (A)
- Vs West Ham: 1-1 draw (H), 1-1 draw (A)
- Vs Forest: 2-2 draw (A)
- Vs Leeds: 1-1 draw (A), 2-1 loss (H)
You could look at this and note that there is only one defeat. But Manchester United should not be losing any of these games.
There have been too many points dropped out of the possible 33 up for grabs against these sides.
- TOTAL Points: 14/33
Manchester United have won only three matches out of 11 against the bottom six this season. A home game against Nottingham Forest is yet to be played.
United should have taken a minimum of 12 points against Wolves and Burnley. Both sides have been awful this season.
The failure to beat Wolves at Old Trafford was viewed as a key result that led to Ruben Amorim being fired.
Failing to beat West Ham or Leeds this season in four attempts has also been a major letdown.
There is a real pattern here that United have not been clinical enough and should have taken a lot more points from these games.
If say United had taken 26 points out of 33 instead of 14, we would be level on points with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.
And really we should have been winning all of these matches. Each one was full of missed opportunities.
Wow! This proves it is all about taking your chances!
Man Utd were clinical when it mattered!!!
Manchester United’s record against the rest of the top six
What makes Manchester United’s record against the bottom six teams in the league so frustrating is that we have been so good against the top teams.
Here is a look at how the Red Devils compare against the five teams we are competing with in the top six.
- Vs Arsenal: 1-0 loss (H), 3-2 win (A)
- Vs City: 3-0 loss (A), 2-0 win (H)
- Vs Aston Villa: 2-1 loss (A), 3-1 win (H)
- Vs Liverpool: 2-1 win (A)
- Vs Chelsea: 2-1 win (H), 1-0 win (A)
These matches have included memorable results including a first away win over Arsenal since 2017, a first away win against Chelsea since 2020, and the first win away at Liverpool since 2015.
TOTAL Points: 18/27
Despite fewer points being available from this subset of opponents, Manchester United have earned more points than against the bottom teams.
In a season where so much has gone right, it feels like United have failed to capitalise on a great opportunity to get into the title race.
While we celebrate the progress, the record against the bottom teams has been unacceptable and must improve next season if United genuinely want to take the next step.
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