Manchester United have endured a difficult beginning to the 2026-27 Premier League campaign, collecting just five points from their opening five matches. The tally matches one of the club’s lowest returns from the first five games during the Premier League era and immediately raises concerns about their prospects for the rest of the season. However, United have experienced a similar situation before, with the 2014-15 campaign providing an example of how a disappointing opening can be followed by a significant improvement.

Under Louis van Gaal, United also collected only five points from their first five matches in 2014-15. They began with a 2-1 home defeat against Swansea City, followed by draws against Sunderland and Burnley, before recording a convincing 4-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers. Their difficult start continued with a dramatic 5-3 defeat to Leicester City, despite United taking a 3-1 lead during the match. The results left Van Gaal’s side with only two points after three games and significant pressure surrounding the team.

United gradually recovered as the season progressed and eventually developed much greater consistency. A strong run in the middle of the campaign included six consecutive victories, while the team also climbed as high as third place during the season. United ultimately finished fourth with 70 points, recording 20 wins, 10 draws and eight defeats. The improvement demonstrated that an underwhelming opening does not necessarily dictate how a team will perform over the remaining months.

That history provides useful context for Michael Carrick’s current challenge at Old Trafford. United still need to improve their results and establish greater consistency, but five matches represent only a small portion of a Premier League season. Previous campaigns have shown that United have been capable of recovering from slow starts and, in some seasons, even challenging for major honours after collecting fewer than 10 points from their opening five games. The 2014-15 season therefore offers a reminder that United’s current position is an early indication rather than a final assessment of their 2026-27 campaign.