The upcoming Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United could mark an unprecedented moment in English football history, worsening the Red Devils’ current season.
Chelsea, currently pushing for a final spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League, are set to host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in a match with contrasting motivations.
While the Blues still have something to fight for, United are limping toward the end of a forgettable campaign, languishing in 16th place with little more than pride at stake.
United, once synonymous with dominance in English football, now face the humiliating prospect of ending the 2024/25 Premier League season over 40 points behind arch-rivals Liverpool — a scenario that has never occurred before in the long history of the two clubs.
Currently, Liverpool sit atop the table with 89 points, while United have managed just 39.
A loss or draw to Chelsea would cement a record gap between the two sides, eclipsing any previous distance even during seasons in the old First Division, where both clubs experienced relegation stints.
Sports journalist Dominic King highlighted the historic nature of this potential outcome, noting that such a vast points gulf between United and Liverpool is unprecedented.
Even during turbulent times in the past, the two clubs had never been separated by such a margin.
The decline of Manchester United has been further punctuated by Liverpool’s remarkable rise this season.
The Reds are on the verge of clinching their 20th domestic league title, drawing level with United’s historic tally and symbolizing a shift in the balance of power in English football.
Speaking to Sky Sports, under-pressure United boss Ruben Amorim did not mince words.
“I’m really embarrassed that in 26 games, we’ve only won six. Something is wrong in the way we play football. It’s not just tactics or technique — it’s about our mentality, how we face adversity, how we protect our goal. These are things we must change.”
A loss to Chelsea would not only further expose the cracks within the Old Trafford camp but also immortalize the 2024/25 season as the club’s worst since the Premier League’s inception in 1992.
