CAN Manchester United actually be relegated?
It's a question previously unthinkable in the Premier League era.
But it is a prospect first mooted by manager Ruben Amorim after last week's defeat at Wolves.
And one that suddenly looks alarmingly real after the first-half horror show that resulted in a fourth straight defeat against Newcastle United.
Could Old Trafford really host Wycombe Wanderers in the league next season? Could United really play derbies with Stockport County?
Perhaps a cross-border battle with Wrexham, who arguably have more Hollywood quality than the boys from the crumbling Theater of Dreams?
The fact that bookmakers are still quoting odds as long as 28-1 insists United get into the Championship – and supercomputers are making it a one in 500 chance – should tell us all we need to know.
Even during a disastrous first half of the season, United have collected 22 points.
Last season, Nottingham Forest remained at 32, although a more typical safety figure is somewhere between 34 and 36.
Fortunately for United, talk of needing 40 points, or even 38, is old-fashioned.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Four more wins would secure United's Premier League status. But have you actually watched them recently? Would you like to see them beat someone?
United don't score many goals: just 21 this season, fewer than Leicester. They have lost their last three games 7-0.
As Amorim himself admits, his team lacks fitness and hunger and gives away possession far too easily.
And the dogmatic Portuguese is attached to a 3-4-3 system that does not suit a team without dynamism in central midfield.
The sight of a tearful Joshua Zirkzee being dragged away after just 33 minutes of the Newcastle debacle, to the cheers of his own club's supporters, was truly terrifying on a human level.
The £36.5m Dutch forward is arguably one of United's worst ever signings – and there were quite a few candidates for that dubious distinction during Ten Hag's dismal reign – but he was thrown under the bus by his Portuguese manager.
A spell out of the firing line, or ideally a move in January, could be the best thing for player and club.
It's not like United are waiting for a host of stars to return from injury, nor is it like they'll be busy this transfer window.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has achieved the seemingly impossible by actually making United worse off than when the Glazer family were in complete control of Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe is spending big on payouts while correcting his own blunders – both against Erik ten Hag and his backroom boys and sporting director Dan Ashworth – while decimating morale by cutting back on support staff.
At least he's saving money on win bonuses now.
Even more remarkable is that Amorim – considered one of the brightest young coaches in Europe at Sporting Lisbon – is making United worse than under Untenable Hag.
They have lost five of their last six league games. Had it not been for a bizarre 2-1 success at the Etihad – when United struck twice in the final minutes to win the worst Manchester derby in decades – Amorim could well be staring into oblivion.
And on Sunday we visit Anfield against champions-elect Liverpool, who beat United 7-0 two seasons ago when they were still quite good.
Avoiding complete humiliation will be United's sole aim on Merseyside.
This is easily the worst United have been since they were relegated from the top flight half a century ago.
And currently there are only six teams among the Old Trafford mob in the Premier League.
Of these, Crystal Palace has more attacking talent than United. Everton have a game plan that allows them to score points in a way that Amorim's men seemingly cannot, while Wolves are on the rise under new boss Vitor Pereira.
The idea of United finishing 17th doesn't feel all that fanciful.
So that brings us to the bottom three – all promoted from last season's Championship.
Southampton, who next visit Old Trafford on January 16, are on course to become the worst Premier League club of all time. Surely United can win that six-pointer?
Leicester were twice targeted by United during Ruud Van Nistelrooy's time as interim boss.
The Dutchman is now in charge at the Foxes, where the initial optimism is fading.
But when you watch Ipswich intimidate Chelsea into beating on Monday night, bringing them within seven points of United, you just never know.
Former Red Devils coach Kieran McKenna is the mastermind behind back-to-back promotions and if Portman Road continues to rock like last night, the Tractor Boys might be able to catch up with a Ferrari or two.
Since February, United have lost to thirteen of the sixteen opponents who have played in the top flight both this season and last season. Only Aston Villa, Brentford and Everton have failed to beat them.
No one is afraid to face United anymore, home or away.
So who knows, maybe the outcome of Manchester City's 115 Premier League charges will see the champions relegated in United's place?
Comments