The 5 Worst Defeats in Man Utd History

What is Man Utd’s worst-ever defeat? Find out as we review the Red Devils’ most embarrassing losses of all time.

Throughout the rich history of Manchester United, the club has enjoyed numerous triumphs and successes. However, every journey has its share of setbacks, and even the mightiest of giants sometimes face humiliating defeats.

In this article, we delve into the darkest chapters of Manchester United’s history, recounting the five worst defeats that left their fans stunned and disheartened.

5 – Man Utd 2-7 Sheffield Wednesday (1961)

The FA Cup has a penchant for creating underdog tales, and in 1961, Manchester United found themselves on the wrong side of one. Sheffield Wednesday, a lower-tier team at the time, stunned the football world by eliminating the Red Devils from the fourth round of the FA Cup in a 7-2 thrashing at Old Trafford. Keith Ellis was the hero for Sheffield, scoring a memorable hat-trick, while Mark Pearson and Alex Dawson managed to salvage some pride for United with their goals.

4 – Blackburn 7-0 Man Utd (1926)

Boxing Day in 1926 marked a date that Manchester United fans would prefer to forget. A visit to Blackburn Rovers turned into a nightmare as the Red Devils suffered a humiliating 7-0 defeat. This loss remains one of the earliest and most shocking defeats in the club’s history, a day when United’s defence was torn apart by an inspired Blackburn team.

3 – Aston Villa 7-0 Man Utd (1930)

Just four years after their disastrous encounter with Blackburn, Manchester United experienced another soul-crushing defeat in 1930. This time, they faced Aston Villa at Villa Park and were ruthlessly dismantled 7-0. The loss raised questions about the club’s competence, and it was a day that served as a stark reminder that even the mightiest can fall.

2 – Wolves 7-0 Man Utd (1931)

In December 1931, Manchester United’s players found themselves in a state of disbelief as the final whistle blew at Molineux Stadium. They had just suffered their third-worst defeat in history, once again conceding seven goals, this time to Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was a grim day for United, and the haunting memory of this defeat lingered for years to come.

1 – Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd (2023)

In a more recent chapter of their history, Manchester United experienced their most devastating defeat ever at the hands of their arch-rivals, Liverpool. In March 2023, Anfield became the stage for a record-breaking 7-0 hammering of the Red Devils. Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, and Darwin Nunez all netted twice, becoming the first Premier League trio in the twenty-first century to achieve such a feat, while Firmino added another. This loss was a crushing blow to Manchester United, leaving fans and players alike in disbelief.