Manchester United suffer worst eight-game start in 39 years after Bournemouth defeat

Manchester United’s difficult start to the Premier League season reached a new low as Bournemouth won 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The result leaves Manchester United with only seven points from their first eight league matches, their lowest total at this stage of a season since 1986-87, when they had collected four points.

Manchester United have won just once in the league this season, drawing four matches and losing three. The latest defeat increased the pressure on the home side, who were beaten heavily in front of their own supporters by Bournemouth.

The scale of the setback was underlined by statistics published by Opta. The data shows that Manchester United have taken their lowest number of points after eight league games for almost four decades.

OptaJoe posted on social media: “Manchester United have won just seven points from eight Premier League games this season (W1 D4 L3), their lowest at this stage of a league season since 1986-87 (4). Nightmare.”

Bournemouth’s victory was also significant because of Manchester United’s recent record of heavy home defeats. Opta said no team in the Premier League had lost more home matches by three goals or more in all competitions since the start of the 2023-24 season.

“Since 2023-2024, no team in the Premier League has suffered home defeats by a margin of three goals or more in all competitions more than Manchester United (seven defeats),” the statistics provider said.

The 3-0 scoreline therefore added to an established pattern of damaging results at Old Trafford, while also leaving Manchester United with a record that reaches back to the 1986-87 campaign.

Bournemouth’s win came in the eighth round of the Premier League and further exposed Manchester United’s lack of consistency during the opening part of the season. Their record of one victory, four draws and three defeats has produced seven points, with the 3-0 loss now placing greater focus on the team’s results in the matches ahead.

The defeat was not only a setback in the table but also a historic statistical low for Manchester United at this point of a league campaign. Their tally has not been as low after eight matches since they managed four points in 1986-87.