Manchester United have made their worst start to a season in the Premier League era after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham left them with 20 points from their opening 13 games.
The draw — a fourth in succession at Old Trafford — leaves Jose Mourinho’s men sixth in the table, 11 points behind leaders Chelsea.
United have not taken so few points after 13 games since the 1989-90 campaign, when Alex Ferguson’s side finished 13th in the old First Division, five points clear of the relegation zone, although they did win the FA Cup.
They had also been on 20 points after 13 games in the 1990-91 season but only after being deducted a point as the result of a brawl during a defeat to Arsenal. Ferguson’s side ultimately finished sixth and won the Cup Winners’ Cup.
David Moyes, who lasted less than a season after succeeding Ferguson in 2013, took 22 points from his opening 13 league games, while Louis van Gaal also had 22 from 13 in 2014-15 before accumulating 27 at the same stage last season.
Ferguson took 30 from 13 in 2012-13 when United last lifted the Premier League title.
Sunday’s result was also United’s first run of four home league games without a win since 1989-90, when Ferguson’s side drew three and lost three at Old Trafford between November and February.
Diafra Sakho’s opener for West Ham on Sunday — which came after one minute and 30 seconds — was also the second fastest goal United have conceded at Old Trafford in the Premier League, trailing only Eden Dzeko’s effort for Manchester City in March 2014.
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