Not many expected Manchester United to finish the Premier League season where they did.
A 2-0 win over Aston Villa was a bright end to an otherwise dire season for Manchester United in the Premier League.
An unwanted record of 18 league defeats in a single season left the Red Devils down in 15th place in the Premier League table.
After a poor start at Old Trafford, Ruben Amorim warned of a relegation shock. Thankfully, United steered well clear of the bottom three, but it is not a season that will be remembered fondly.
There were high hopes for United’s 2024/25 season, but it turned out to be quite the opposite.
Photo by Cesar Ortiz Gonzalez/Soccrates/Getty Images
Photo by Cesar Ortiz Gonzalez/Soccrates/Getty Images
What the Opta Supercomputer predicted for Man United in 2024/25
Back in August, United were coming off the back of a strong summer window with five new major signings.
There was hope that Erik ten Hag’s side could build from the FA Cup success, but the Dutchman was sacked in October and replaced by Amorim, who found himself unable to save United’s season.
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The Opta Supercomputer back in August predicted that Manchester United’s most likely finishing position was fifth with a 14.7% probability.
They gave United a 0% chance of winning the league but a 1.2% chance of finishing second. Ironically it was also an exact 1.2% chance that United would finish down in 15th – the actual finishing position in 2024/25.
Opta gave United a 0.3% chance of being relegated before the season began.
Where Ruben Amorim must finish in Premier League next season
The Europa League was supposed to be United’s saving grace this season but a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in Bilbao means the Red Devils finished trophyless without European football.
Without any European distractions next season, there is huge pressure on Amorim to deliver in the Premier League – a competition he has so far found very difficult.
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim is entering Man United into new era in 2025/26, no more Sir Alex Ferguson impact
Ineos want Amorim to finish in the top six next season, rising nine places up the table from his first season in charge.
Ratcliffe wanted to see a style of play implemented during Amorim’s first season, but now he will have objective targets to reach.