5 lowest points in the history of Manchester United

Manchester United has undoubtedly been England’s premier club since the English league began to go global in 1992. A fairly reputed side prior to that as well, particularly in the Matt Busby era, United have been one of the world's most consistent and readily recognizable football sides in the new millennium.However, since its humble beginnings in 1878 as Newton Heath, the Red Devils have seen numerous low periods as well, some of which have been lost to history in the recent wave of success. This piece chronicles five of the biggest lows which further contribute to the legend that is Manchester United.

#5 David Moyes\' reign - 2013/14

Hand-picked by Sir Alex Ferguson to succeed him, former Everton boss David Moyes was ‘The Chosen One’ when the likes of Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp were linked and possible candidates to take over the Old Trafford throne and manage a side in the midst of a transition. The simultaneous departures of Ferguson and wily chief executive David Gill hit the Scot hard, as the transfer market gave him a true baptism of fire.

Linked to Thiago Alcantara and Cesc Fabregas throughout the summer in the hunt for a midfield lynchpin, the only buy United managed was Everton’s Marouane Fellaini when the paperwork for Ander Herrera wasn’t submitted on time.

A run of poor results and monotonous football, particularly against the top six, didn’t help and Moyes was eventually sacked on April 22 once it was clear United would miss out on Champions League qualification.

The sacking then polarized opinion, with most taking note of the United tradition of sticking with managers in the past. The only highlight of the ill-fated tenure was a comeback in the Champions League Round of 16 to knock out Olympiakos, before bowing out to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.

Moyes eventually moved to Real Sociedad, but was sacked early in November 2015, and was succeeded by incumbent Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford after a temporary spell in charge by Ryan Giggs.

#4 Manchester United 1-6 Manchester City - 2011/12

The ‘Noisy neighbours’ was the sobriquet given to the Citizens by the Mancunians post the big-money takeover of Manchester City in 2008, as the United faithful emphasized the superiority of the Red Devils’ philosophy over admittedly shrewd but big-money buys City was putting together. A series of mouth-watering clashes ensued, among them United’s 4-3 win in 2009.

But nothing compared to City’s visit across town in 2011.

A goal from Mario Balotelli put City 1-0 up at half-time, only for the Citizens to open the floodgates in the second half. Goals from Edin Dzeko (twice), David Silva, Sergio Aguero and a second for Balotelli reduced Darren Fletcher’s 81st minute strike to a mere consolation.

It was United’s biggest home defeat since 1955. It also remains their heaviest defeat in the Premier League era, as well as the first time City scored six against them since 1926. United had also never conceded six at home since 1930.

It would set the tone for the season, with City winning the return fixture 1-0 and eventually landing the Premier League title on goal difference in stoppage time on the final day courtesy of a Sergio Aguero goal. The City website simply calls its fan zone 93:20 to commemorate the moment City landed the League.

#3 Champions League group stage exit - 2011/12

Fresh off a final appearance in the previous Champions League campaign, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were among the favourites to cruise to the knockout rounds. They had been drawn against Benfica, FC Basel and Romanian minnows Otelul Galati in the group stages that season.

An inconsistent run of performances, including two draws to Benfica and an inexplicable 3-3 draw to Basel at Old Trafford, meant United needed at least a draw away to Basel to qualify. Possibly dismissing the previous draw as a flash in the pan, Ferguson sent out a second string team at Basel, an error he admits in his autobiography published in 2013.

United lost 2-1 and were condemned to the Europa League as third place finishers. They eventually lost in the round of 16 to eventual finalists Athletic Bilbao on the back of 3-2 and 2-1 defeats.

United have since managed a round of 16 (2012/13) and a quarter-final (2013/14) appearance in the Champions League, failing to qualify for either European competition in the 2014/15 season.

#2 Relegation to the Second Division - 1973/74

The aftermath of Manchester United’s two longest managerial tenures have numerous parallels. Following Busby’s resignation before the 1969/70 season, the club appointed reserve team coach Wilf McGuinness to succeed him, only to finish eighth.

The managerial merry-go-round eventually brought former Scotland manager Tommy Docherty to the club midway through the 1972/73 season. But poor succession planning post the Busby babes reared its ugly head.

With Denis Law having moved across town to Manchester City and George Best’s behaviour being highly erratic, resulting in the Irishman leaving for Stockport County in 1974, United were embarrassing on offense. They were so bad that goalkeeper Alex Stepney was joint top scorer with two goals at Christmas.

A relegation battle ensued, with United needing to win the Manchester derby on the final day to escape relegation provided Birmingham City lost their own game.

Instead of yet another trapdoor escape as in 1972/73, United were relegated as Denis Law, amusingly, scored the only goal of the game. However, a win for Birmingham rendered the result immaterial in any case.

#1 Munich disaster - 1958

Having won the two previous league titles with a scarily young side averaging 23 years of age, Manchester United were among the favourites to win the 1957/58 title and were trailing Stan Cullis’ Wolverhampton Wanderers with 14 games to go. They had also put in strong performances in the recently instituted European Cup, the forerunner to the Champions League.

On 6 February 1958, returning from a tie against Yugoslav giants Red Star Belgrade, the plane carrying United’s players, staff and some journalists crashed on a third takeoff attempt from Munich. The event killed eight young players, most of them academy products including the prodigious Duncan Edwards (who survived but died in hospital a fortnight hence), as well as chief coach Bert Whalley and club secretary Walter Crickmer.

Two survivors, Johnny Berry and Jackie Blanchflower never played again, though manager Matt Busby, goalkeeper Harry Gregg and midfielder Bobby Charlton went on to have full careers.

Busby went on to rebuild another young side around George Best and Denis Law, and eventually won the European Cup in 1968, beating Benfica in the final. Sir Bobby Charlton, a member of that team, was also part of the English side which won the World Cup in 1966.