How beating Manchester United has became a strategic win for Premier League clubs
As Manchester United endure a historically poor season, rival clubs are turning victories over the Red Devils into strategic wins, in boardrooms as well as on the pitch.
Beating Manchester United has become a notable achievement in the business strategies of Premier League clubs.
Crystal Palace became the latest club to highlight its triumphs over the Red Devils in the 2023/24 season. The Eagles did the double, beating Manchester United 1-0 away at Old Trafford and then humiliating them 4-0 at Selhurst Park in the home game.
Palace highlighted the result and also mentioned victories against Aston Villa and Liverpool.
“A standout moment was the 5-0 victory over Aston Villa in the last game, capping off a fantastic season. Notable achievements include a double over Manchester United, in which we scored five goals without conceding, and an impressive away win at Anfield,” the club’s board boasted in its strategic report.
In a company's financial or annual report, the strategic report provides readers and stakeholders an overview of the organisation’s strategy, performance, and position. While most Premier League clubs emphasise their financial performance, few clubs highlight games in their accounts.
These clubs are often newly promoted sides or teams that are classified as ‘mid-table,’ a term that does not have a fixed definition but can include clubs that finish between 7th and 15th in the league.
Victories against clubs that are financial powerhouses or have a trophy-laden history can look attractive to potential investors.
Last year, Brentford boasted victories against five of the ‘Big Six’ clubs in its annual report for the 2022/23 season.
“The first home game of the season saw us score four goals against Manchester United in an unforgettable first half at the GTech Community Stadium - a game that will live long in my and every other Brentford supporter’s memory,” said Clifford Crown, the club’s chair and director.
“The atmosphere generated by our fans in the stands continued to match the performances of the players on the pitch throughout the campaign, helping us beat the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Chelsea.”
The double over the blue side of Manchester was a monumental feat for the Bees.
“We also recorded a double over treble-winners Manchester City, which saw us become the only team in the division to achieve that feat against Pep Guardiola’s European Champions,” Crown added.
More clubs stack up doubles against Man United
Manchester United is enduring its worst-performing season. The Red Devils have lost a staggering 16 games and are on course to present their worst points tally in 30 years.
Brighton, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, and Wolverhampton Wanderers have all registered doubles against Manchester United this season. These fixtures account for 62.5% of United’s losses so far.
With three games left, it is possible that these doubles could "double" if United loses to West Ham this weekend. The Hammers won 2-1 at the London Stadium in October last year.
Arsenal, Crystal Palace, and Manchester City registered doubles against United in the 2023/24 season.
With the symbolic weight of beating the Red Devils carrying commercial value, it will be interesting to see if Manchester United’s decline becomes a part of more clubs’ success narratives.
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