Given that we’re just a matter of days away from the end of 2023, it’s time to call it: this is Manchester United’s annus horibilis.

In a year that has brought good news off the pitch, with new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe taking away some of the ownership power of the club away from the Glazer family, things continue to go from bad to worse.

Is there any way back for United in 2024?

On Borrowed Time

Back in the glory days of the management of Sir Alex Ferguson, it would be unthinkable that United would be available at odds of 250/1 to win the Premier League title halfway through the season, but that’s where they find themselves as those who like a football bet instead focus their attention on the main challengers like Manchester City (5/6), Liverpool (3/1) and Arsenal (7/2).

Amongst the best football tips for today and any other day for that matter will be to expect the unexpected whenever Erik ten Hag’s men take to the field: their 0-3 loss to Bournemouth earlier in December was a result that punters could back at a whopping 90/1.
The Dutchman has, at times, looked worthy of the hotseat at Old Trafford – many have tried to emulate Ferguson since his retirement in 2013, but nobody has truly been able to fill his shoes… Jose Mourinho did put some more silverware in the cabinet, but protestations of his conservative playing style were a kiss of death throughout his tenure.

Ten Hag has spent a staggering £380 million on new players since the summer of 2022, hasn’t taken United forward, and had to suffer the humiliation of finishing bottom of their Champions League group.

The absolute best they can hope for this season is a top-four finish in the Premier League, which would guarantee a berth in next term’s Champions League. But even that looks to be a tall order right now…

Fantastic Four

It’s hard to pick a hole in the case that Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal look locked in to finish inside the top four.

City aren’t at their absolute best by any stretch, but they still have Kevin de Bruyne to return from injury and, over the course of the whole campaign, their abundant class will surely tell.
Liverpool appear to have added a certain defensive solidity to their swashbuckling attacking play, while Arsenal continue to do Arsenal things – they’ve scored 30% of their goals in the Premier League this term after the 76th minute, often resulting in late winners being netted.

Otherwise, there’s only one other Champions League place left to be won. Aston Villa have been in fine form, although the jury remains out as to whether they can continue that until the end of the season, while Tottenham have been revelatory at times under new head coach Ange Postecoglou – with James Maddison back from injury, plus potential new recruits in January, they could remain a force to be reckoned with.

There’s the cash-rich Newcastle United too, of course, which doesn’t leave much in the way of wriggle room for Manchester United – could 2023/24 be their worst season of the post-Ferguson years to date?