Premier League odds: Man Utd as far from title challenging as they have ever been

There have been some dark days for Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson headed into retirement back in the summer of 2013. Few, though, compare to a 5-0 humbling by arch-rivals Liverpool on home soil.

The Red Devils are still licking their wounds on the back of a forgettable showing against North West neighbours that saw a number of unwanted records set.

Unsurprisingly, given the manner in which Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side disintegrated at Old Trafford, Premier League winner odds do not look too favourable for United right now. They have slipped as far as 60/1 to get their hands on the ultimate prize in 2021-22.

Such a price would have been unthinkable in Ferguson’s heyday, with those numbers reserved for the rather unlikely scenario of being dragged into a relegation battle.

There is little danger of United heading in that direction this season, but a few too many glances are now being shot over collective shoulders.

Are Man Utd going backwards?

📊 Man Utd’s heaviest home PL defeats:
1-6 v Man City, Oct 2011
1-6 v Tottenham, Oct 2020
0-5 v Liverpool, Oct 2021 pic.twitter.com/uTC4LON3kQ

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) October 24, 2021

Silverware was expected, almost demanded during Ferguson’s tenure, with any campaign that ended without another addition to the trophy cabinet considered to be a failure. That is no longer the case.

Jose Mourinho was the last man to deliver tangible success, but Europa League glory from 2016-17 remains the last entry on United’s roll of honour.

There appears to be little chance of Solskjaer’s side coming back into favour with Paddy Power EPL betting tips, with the Red Devils struggling to break themselves out of reverse.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s emotional return to his spiritual home was supposed to deliver a fairytale ending, not a horror show. They do, however, say ‘never go back’.

Big-money deals for Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane – two proven international performers with England and France – also saw plenty suggest that a tide could be turning in Manchester that allowed red to rule over blue once more. Few are still barking up that tree.

What can Man Utd achieve?

Chelsea continue as the early pacesetters 🏃‍♂️🔵 pic.twitter.com/wCDklsZ44k

— Premier League (@premierleague) October 24, 2021

With the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool leading the title race, United are in danger of finding themselves stuck among the also-rans. We have not even reached Halloween, never mind Christmas, and targets are already being realigned at the Theatre of Dreams.

Champions League football is a must, with the Red Devils having tumbled out of that pack before, and they remain 8/13 shots to wrap up a top-four finish. There are no guarantees, though, and Solskjaer knows as much.

If regression were to continue, on the back of some questionable displays in domestic and continental competition, that nerves will fray quickly.

United are 6/5 to finish without qualification for elite European competition, and 4/1 to miss out on those adventures entirely by slipping out of the top six.

Such a fall from grace can still be addressed, but slippery slopes can prove difficult to change direction on once questions begin to be asked of under-fire coaches and under-performing players be a disgruntled fan base and disillusioned boardroom.

Ferguson once survived such scares to build a dynasty in Manchester, but such success is now consigned to the history books and United appear to be as far away from title challenging as they have ever been in the Premier League era.