The worst Manchester United form in Premier League history came to a close in May 2025, with the club earning a measly 42 points on 18 losses.
It was enough to keep threats of relegation at bay, but not enough to convince fans that the current squad, especially under Ruben Amorim, could turn things around the following season.
Flash forward to today, and the Red Devils sit third in the Premier League with their sights set on a nearly cemented spot in the Champions League. So what’s gone right for Manchester United this season, and how have they managed to tidy up their Premier League performance?
A Look at the Numbers
This season, Manchester United are 22 points ahead of where they were last season when comparing the same 34 fixtures played so far. That’s the most significant improvement amongst any club. They’ve gained 18 points that they didn’t have last season from four clubs alone: Chelsea (+5), Crystal Palace (+5), Wolves (+4), and Tottenham (+4).
United’s home form has given the fans something to cheer for as well. The Red Devils currently boast 12 additional points at home this season, going 11-3-3. Hold that up next to their 6-3-8 home record last season, and you can see why the excitement has been restored at Old Trafford.
But for those fans who have travelled, the fun hasn’t stopped. United has picked up 10 additional points in away matches as well, nearly matching their home form.
And while the Manchester United form has seen 7 additional wins and 8 less losses from this stage of the 24/25 season, the standout statistic is their “Goals For” at +23. With four matches left to play, United has already managed to score 15 more goals than the entirety of their 2024/25 campaign.
It’s not surprising to see their goal total increasing, as they’ve taken the second most shots in the Premier League, and have the most shots on target.
The Players Revitalising Manchester United Form
You can’t appreciate the Red Devils’ return to form without acknowledging some of the players that have made it happen. While Bruno Fernandes has always been a standout member of the squad, he’s arguably been at his best this season. His 19 assists don’t just lead the Premier League – he leads all of Europe.
The same goes for Fernandes’ 28 big chances created. With four matches left to play, Bruno is on course to comfortably break the record for most Premier League assists in a season (20), held jointly by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry.
A commanding group of strikers, all obtained over the summer, have completely reshaped the flat attack that Manchester United form struggled with in 24/25. Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, and Matheus Cunha account for nearly half of the squad’s goals this season.
Mbuemo and Sesko play incredibly complementary football, which has created an unpredictability around their attacking form. While Sesko makes a great target to play off of and run past, Mbuemo roams the final third, making it tough to stay latched to him.
While Fernandes has been the obvious chance creator this season, the unpredictability and liquid style that Mbeumo and Sesko present have been a dagger to defenders all season long.
The final piece of the puzzle this season has been Casemiro’s return to form. Given 18 starts, the Brazilian notched a single goal in the 24/25 season. This season, the defensive midfielder has 9 goals and 2 assists.
He’s tied for the second-most goals for the Red Devils, and has put in multiple complete shifts at the back. The man who many thought was down and out of his prime has returned to strike fear into the hearts of not only attackers, but goalies throughout the Premier League.
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The Maestro Conducting the Magic
It doesn’t take a United fan to recognise the impact that Michael Carrick has had on the Manchester United form since stepping into the manager role.
The man who was initially met with scepticism has gone on to prove his doubters wrong. Behind the players on the pitch, Carrick has conducted the comeback story of the decade in bringing United back from the ashes.
Carrick’s implementation of the 4-2-3-1 immediately allowed for natural creativity at the front – one that squad members have been craving for some time. One of the harshest criticisms of Reuben Amorim’s tenure was that his play style stifled creativity, and when he was sacked, the players immediately seemed to play a smoother game under his replacement.
One of Carrick’s best traits is one of the best in adjusting and finding ways to get the ball forward. He doesn’t confine himself to a single style of play.
Instead, he identifies tactics that can change the flow of the game, such as stretching the pitch or overloading the middle. This leads to an organised, yet unpredictable, style of play that other managers struggle to adjust to.
Earlier in this article, it was mentioned that the Red Devils have taken the second most shots in the Premier League, and lead the league in shots on target. So, would it come as any surprise to you that Carrick’s Middlesbrough were the exact same way?
The manager has a history of this kind of thing – creating chances, finding ways to get to the net, and giving his squad as many opportunities to get one past the keeper as possible.
The results speak for themselves. United went 6-1-0 in the first seven matches under his command, and now sit at an impressive 9-2-2. While no one could say Amorim was doing inherently poorly as manager (United were 8-8-5 this season under him), the output from this Manchester side has proven that the decision made in the front office was the correct one.
The only question left to be answered is whether he will be the manager in the 2026/27 season.
A Refreshing Premier League Performance
Finally, Manchester United fans have been able to sit down and enjoy watching their squad play entertaining football. The club has notched a win against every other “Big Six” club this season, and it feels like the Red Devils may be returning to their glory days.
After their win against Brentford today, it is almost mathematically impossible for them to miss out on Champions League football next season. It looks like maybe, just maybe, the storied Manchester United side has come back in full force.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto
Recording Date: 27.04.2026
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