Manchester United end season with negative goal difference for first time in Premier League history



Manchester United have ended a Premier League season with a negative goal difference for the first time in the competition’s 32-year history.

The Red Devils won 2-0 at Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday but still finished the 2023/24 campaign having conceded one goal more than they scored.

This is only the sixth time in Premier League history that United have finished a campaign with a goal difference below +25.

Meanwhile, the club’s five worst Premier League seasons ever based on goal difference have all come in the last decade.

Manchester United’s worst Premier League seasons based on goal difference

2023/24 season: -1 goal difference 2021/22 season: 0 goal difference 2018/19 season: +11 goal difference 2015/16 season: +14 goal difference 2022/23 season: +15 goal difference 2013/14 season +21 goal difference

Manchester United’s best Premier League seasons based on goal difference

2007/08 season: +58 goal difference (champions) 2009/10 season: +58 goal difference (finished 2nd) 2006/07 season: +56 goal difference (champions) 2011/12 season: +56 goal difference (finished 2nd) 1999/00 season: +52 goal difference (champions) 1994/95 season: +49 goal difference (finished 2nd)

The best goal difference ever recorded by a Premier League team is +79 as achieved by Manchester City’s class of 2017/18.

Derby County hold the record for the worst, having ended the 2007/08 season with -69.

XXX Until this weekend, Derby County held the record for the worst, having ended the 2007/08 season with -69. XXX

XXXX However, that has now been equalled/broken by Sheffield United. XXXX