Manchester United’s worst Premier League defeats

Sir Alex Ferguson described his team's 6-1 defeat in Sunday's Manchester derby as the 'worst result in my history'. It probably was, but it was not the first time United have suffered a heavy defeat in the Premier League era
  
  


Man Utd Worst Defeats: Tottenham 4 United 1 January 1996
Future United forward Teddy Sheringham opens the scoring at White Hart Lane before Andy Cole equalises a minute later for the visitors. However, goals from Sol Campbell and two from Chris Armstrong seal a great New Year’s Day win for Tottenham.
What happened next? United drew 0-0 at home with Aston Villa.
What happened at the end of the season? United reclaimed the Premier League title and then completed the double by beating Liverpool 1-0 in the FA Cup final Photograph: Action Images
Man Utd Worst Defeats: Newcastle 5 United 0 October 1996
A famous victory for Newcastle as Kevin Keegan’s men run riot at St James’ Park. Darren Peacock opens the scoring after 30 minutes before David Ginola, Les Ferdinand, Alan Shearer and Philippe Albert’s precise chip over Peter Schmeichel complete the thrashing.
What happened next? United suffered another spanking, this time at The Dell as Southampton beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s men 6-3.
What happened at the end of the season? United retained the title Photograph: Lee Beskeen/Action Images
Man U Defeats: Southampton 6 United 3 October 1996
Having reacted to their drubbing at Newcastle with a 2-1 Coca-Cola Cup win against Swindon, United were deemed to be back on track. Not so. In their next league outing they are hit for six by Southampton. Eyal Berkovic scores twice, Egil Ostenstad gets a hat-trick and Matthew Le Tissier grabs the other for the hosts while Roy Keane is sent-off for the visitors.
What happened next? Another defeat for the champions as Chelsea won 2-1 at Old Trafford.
What happened at the end of the season? United retained the title Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Man Utd Worst Defeats: Arsenal 3 United 0 September 1998
Having secured the double four months earlier, Arsène Wenger’s side beat United in imperious fashion, with Tony Adams, Nicolas Anelka and recent arrival Freddie Ljungberg getting the goals against visitors who are reduced to 10 men following Nicky Butt’s 51st minute sending-off.
What happened next? United beat Liverpool 2-0 at Old Trafford.
What happened at the end of the season? United completed a historic treble Photograph: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
Man Utd Worst Defeats: Chelsea 5 United 0 3 October 1999
Gianluca Vialli leads Chelsea to a surprise thrashing of the champions. Gus Poyet opens the scoring inside a minute before £10m signing Chris Sutton gets a second on 16 minutes. Nicky Butt is then sent off for the visitors before a second goal from Poyet, Henning Berg’s own goal and Jody Morris’s late strike seal three points for the hosts.
What happened next? United beat Watford 4-1 at Old Trafford.
What happened at the end of the season? United secured a second successive title, finishing 18 points clear of Arsenal Photograph: Ben Radford/Getty Images
Man Utd Worst Defeats: Newcastle 3 United 0 February 2000
Two goals from Alan Shearer and one from Duncan Ferguson seal another famous win for Newcastle over Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. Roy Keane is sent off in the second half.
What happened next? United secured a vital 1-0 win at Leeds.
What happened at the end of the season? United secured a third consecutive title, finishing 10 points clear of Arsenal in second Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Man Utd Worst Defeats: United 0 Chelsea 3 December 2001
Having lost 3-1 at Arsenal the week before, United suffer another heavy defeat to London opposition, this time at home. Mario Melchiot, Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and Eidur Gudjohnsen score for the visitors.
What happened next? Another loss for the champions as West Ham won 1-0 at Old Trafford.
What happened at the end of the season? United’s grip on the title was loosened by Arsenal again as Arsène Wenger’s men won their second double in four seasons Photograph: Gary M. Prior/Getty Images
Man Utd Worst Defeats: Middlesbrough 4 United 1 October 2005
Steve McClaren’s side inflict a savage defeat on the visitors, with Gaizka Mendieta scoring twice and Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and Yakbu grabbing the other two between them. Cristiano Ronaldo scores a consolation goal for a United side that is later criticised by Roy Keane on MUTV.
What happened next? United beat the champions Chelsea 1-0 at Old Trafford.
What happened at the end of the season? Chelsea retained the title in style, finishing eight points clear of United Photograph: Owen Humphreys/Press Association Images
Man Utd Worst Defeats: Chelsea 3 United 0 April 2006
The victory which sealed a second successive Premier League title for José Mourinho at Stamford Bridge. William Gallas, Joe Cole and Ricardo Carvalho score in a game that is best remembered for the injury Wayne Rooney sustained just before the World Cup.
What happened next? United draw 0-0 with Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.
What happened at the end of the season? Chelsea retained the title in style, finishing eight points clear of United Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Man U Defeats: United 1 Liverpool 4 March 2009
Seemingly cruising to an 18th league title, United are dealt an unexpected and brutal sucker punch by their greatest rivals. Liverpool go a goal behind to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 23rd minute penalty but are level five minutes later through Fernando Torres’s opportunist strike before Steven Gerrard, Fábio Aurélio and Andrea Dossena also find the back of the net. Nemanja Vidic is sent off for the hosts.
What happened next? United suffered another defeat, losing 2-0 at Fulham.
What happened at the end of the season? Sir Alex Ferguson’s men held their nerve, pipping Liverpool to the title by four points Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Man U Defeats: Fulham 3 United 0 December 2009
Heavily depleted by injuries, Sir Alex Ferguson is forced into playing Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher in defence. Fulham duly took advantage, winning comfortably thanks to goals from Danny Murphy, Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff.
What happened next? United beat Hull 3-1.
What happened at the end of the season? In one of the tightest title races of recent times, Chelsea pipped United to first place by one point Photograph: Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images
 

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