This season has been riddled with disappointments and setbacks, and the list of failures is extensive.
If you’re seeking a more uplifting update, the list of season’s winners is also available here.
Manchester United: A Decline of Historic Proportions
What once seemed like a rough patch-finishing eighth and clinching the FA Cup last year-has now evolved into the club’s most dismal season in half a century. Manchester United’s struggles have become emblematic of a broader crisis, marking their worst performance in 50 years.
The most striking aspect of Manchester United today is how it has become a vortex for talent drain. Players and coaches often appear to shine when they arrive, only for the club to become a graveyard for their careers. The once-glamorous Theatre of Dreams now seems to stifle growth and ambition.
Despite promising summer signings that initially raised hopes, the team has regressed throughout the season. Many players who started brightly have faded into mediocrity, matching the level of their peers. Recall when Kobbie Mainoo looked promising? That was just last year. Or when fans were excited about Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, and Jadon Sancho?
Interestingly, some players who have been labeled as part of the problem-such as Antony, Marcus Rashford, and Scott McTominay-have actually performed well enough to make our winners list, either through their resilience or their contributions after leaving the club under contentious circumstances.
Initially, Erik ten Hag’s appointment seemed questionable, but his replacement by rising star Ruben Amorim only worsened the situation, indicating that the issues at United are deeper than managerial leadership alone. The club’s internal problems are complex and multifaceted, making external diagnosis difficult.
From the outside, one might compare United’s issues to Liverpool’s midfield crisis two years ago or Arsenal’s struggles in final-third creativity today. Tottenham’s need for experience or Manchester City’s contrasting challenges are easier to pinpoint. But Manchester United’s problems are so numerous that they defy simple categorization.
Watching lower-league teams this season, we’ve often thought, “This looks just like Manchester United-lacking in confidence, creativity, and goal-scoring ability.” The absence of a trophy this year only underscores their struggles, exemplified by their Europa League final performance, where deploying Harry Maguire as a striker was a desperate, misguided attempt to find a goal.
For those of us who grew up envying United’s dominance, it’s now a source of genuine sadness rather than amusement. The club’s current state serves as a cautionary tale about how neglecting core priorities over time can lead to decline, regardless of size or wealth. Even now, speculation about Amorim’s future is more about his job security than his potential to turn things around.
In sum, Manchester United’s season has been a catastrophic failure, and only a radical overhaul in their approach can hope to restore their former glory.
Goalkeeper Woes: The Case of Andre Onana
Before you exhaust your fingers counting, one player stands out as a glaring liability: goalkeeper Andre Onana. Despite moments of brilliance, his frequent errors have cast doubt on his status as a top-tier shot-stopper. His inconsistency has been a recurring issue, and unfortunately, his backup, Altay Bayindir, appears to be equally unreliable-explaining the frequent rotation and benchings.
Manchester United must prioritize finding a more dependable goalkeeper this summer if they hope to stabilize their defense and rebuild confidence at the back.
Manchester City: A Season of Turmoil and Transition
Despite securing the Community Shield-a trophy that often signifies a promising start-Manchester City faced a season marked by significant struggles, prompting questions about their traditional style of play. The club’s hallmark possession-based, rondo-heavy approach has come under intense scrutiny, especially after a mid-season slump that saw them languish in 10th place at one point.
Last season, Erling Haaland’s form dipped, and veterans like Kyle Walker and Kevin de Bruyne showed signs of decline. The season’s nadir came between November and December, when City managed just a single win and only six points from 11 matches across all competitions.
While they rallied in January with strategic signings, their resurgence was marred by defeats to Arsenal, Liverpool, and Real Madrid, as well as a costly loss in the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace. These setbacks highlight that City still has work to do to reclaim their dominance and meet the high expectations set by their recent record of success.
Star Players Under Pressure: Foden and Grealish
Both Phil Foden and Jack Grealish have faced contrasting challenges this season. Foden, exhausted from playing 286 competitive matches over five years-an average of over 57 games annually-has openly admitted to burnout. His workload exemplifies the relentless demands placed on top players in a high-intensity system.
Meanwhile, Grealish, despite his talent, has seen limited minutes-just 144 Premier League appearances since the start of the year, with only one goal scored. Guardiola’s plan to reduce squad size next season, citing management difficulties, seems to overlook the fact that Foden and Grealish are dealing with entirely different issues-overwork versus underutilization.
This dichotomy underscores the need for clubs to manage player workloads more thoughtfully, balancing development, rest, and tactical deployment to sustain long-term performance.
Arsenal’s Missed Opportunities and Future Outlook
Arsenal’s season was a tale of unfulfilled potential. Coming into the year as favorites to win the Premier League, they ultimately fell short, primarily due to discipline issues and a lack of attacking depth. Their early-season fragility-losing composure over refereeing decisions or scoreboard pressure-cost them crucial points.
Despite managing to address some of these issues, their goal-scoring prowess was insufficient. Over the past two seasons, Arsenal scored 88 and 91 goals respectively, yet their main strikers-Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz-missed key opportunities, exposing a lack of reliable backup options. In contrast, Liverpool’s squad, featuring players like Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, managed double-digit league goals despite a less prolific attack.
Looking ahead, Arsenal must bolster their attacking options and deepen their squad to compete at the highest level consistently. Their failure to do so this season highlights the importance of squad depth in modern football’s demanding landscape.
Wingers in Decline: Sterling and Sancho
Raheem Sterling’s move to Arsenal was met with high hopes, but it has not panned out as expected. Once a top-tier winger, Sterling’s best years seem behind him, and his current form reflects a player past his prime. It’s a reminder that players often receive disproportionate praise or criticism based on their career stage, which can distort perceptions.
Similarly, Jadon Sancho’s trajectory has been disappointing. Once a promising talent at Borussia Dortmund and England, his decline has been stark. Despite his early promise, Sancho has struggled to replicate his former form, and his stint at Chelsea has not reversed his fortunes. The contrast between his potential and current performance underscores how quickly football careers can change.
West Ham’s Managerial Shuffle: A Question of Direction
The decision to part ways with David Moyes was understandable, given the club’s struggles, but the appointment of Julen Lopetegui has raised eyebrows. Despite his impressive CV-spanning Real Madrid and Wolves-many question whether he is the right fit to elevate West Ham’s fortunes.
Under Graham Potter, the team showed some signs of improvement, but inconsistency remains. The club’s future hinges on making strategic choices that balance experience and youth, and fans are eager to see a clear plan for progression. The managerial merry-go-round continues to frustrate supporters, who crave stability and growth.
Challenges for Newly Promoted Clubs
The gap between the Premier League and the Championship has widened significantly since the last TV rights boom. While the second tier has improved overall, the financial disparity means newly promoted teams often face an uphill battle to survive. Historically, teams relegated from the Premier League have struggled to bounce back immediately, and recent seasons have seen the trend intensify.
Manchester United and Tottenham’s European success despite poor league form exemplifies how the Premier League’s financial muscle can mask underlying issues. This imbalance discourages risk-taking and diminishes the competitive jeopardy that makes the league exciting.
To restore competitiveness, some suggest increasing relegation spots from five to six or even implementing a more dynamic promotion-relegation system. Such reforms could inject much-needed unpredictability and motivate clubs to maintain higher standards across the pyramid.
Special Mentions: Southampton and Tottenham
Southampton’s season has been particularly bleak, with performances so poor that it’s almost a running joke-“except against Southampton, which doesn’t count” has become a lament among fans and analysts alike.
Conversely, Tottenham’s season has been a rollercoaster, with moments of brilliance overshadowed by inconsistency. Their focus on youth and attacking football has made them one of the most intriguing teams to watch next season. Under manager Ange Postecoglou, Spurs have shown flashes of brilliance, culminating in winning the Europa Conference League-a rare bright spot in an otherwise tumultuous campaign.
Despite criticism, Postecoglou’s commitment to an attacking style and his charismatic personality have earned him a dedicated following. The upcoming season promises to be a fascinating test of whether Spurs can sustain their momentum or fall back into inconsistency.
Managerial Changes and Their Impact: Dyche and O’Neil
Sean Dyche’s departure from Everton was a contentious decision. While some argued he was holding the team back, others believed he was the only reason they remained competitive. Post-Dyche, Everton’s results improved, suggesting that a change was necessary. His tenure was marked by stabilizing a fragile squad, but ultimately, fresh leadership was needed to push forward.
Similarly, Gary O’Neil’s brief stint at Wolves was marred by overcomplicated tactics and a squad struggling to cope with basic demands. His final comments about the team’s difficulties highlight the challenges managers face when trying to implement complex systems without adequate resources or player understanding. Both cases underscore the importance of strategic management and realistic expectations in a club’s rebuilding process.
Player Spotlight: Darwin Nunez
Despite a hefty £85 million price tag, Darwin Nunez has yet to establish himself as a consistent goal scorer for Liverpool. His talent is undeniable, but his inability to deliver regular, reliable performances over three seasons suggests that his future at the club may be uncertain. Liverpool’s investment in him reflects high hopes, but unless he finds greater consistency, his role remains in question.
