Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim said the reason he has brought up the possibility of relegation is because the club needs a jolt.
Amorim's side were beaten 2-0 at home to Newcastle United on Monday, which was their fifth defeat in their last six league games.
That result leaves Manchester United in 14th place in the Premier League, their lowest position at the turn of the year in the competition since 1989, and closer to the relegation zone on points than the top six.
United are seven points ahead of third-placed Ipswich Town, while they are nine points behind sixth-placed Manchester City.
“People are tired of excuses at this club. Sometimes I talk about relegation because our club needs a shock. It is a shock,” Amorim said.
The Newcastle result was United's third consecutive league defeat at Old Trafford, the first since February 1979.
United, meanwhile, were last relegated in the 1973-74 season. Their current run of six consecutive defeats in all competitions in December represents only the third time in the club's history since they have lost that many games in a month.
The game ends.#MUFC || #MUNNEW
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 30, 2024
“When you have moments like this, especially at the big clubs, it is very difficult to turn things around,” Amorim said.
“Especially when you don't have much time to train the basics, to deal with the difficult moments. We have to recognize our position, as you see the competition, anyone can beat anyone. We have to win matches and focus on surviving. ”
Amorim was later asked whether he thought it was shameful that a club of United's stature was in danger of relegation and taking some of the blame themselves.
“It's also my fault at the moment because I don't think the team has improved,” he said.
“It's a bit lost at the moment. It's a bit embarrassing to be coach of Manchester United and lose a lot of games. But we have to deal with the difficult moments.”
Since his first match against Ipswich, only Southampton (seven) have lost more games in all competitions than United among Premier League clubs.
They face league leaders Liverpool on Sunday after losing 3-0 in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in September.
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