Former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd says he is not surprised by Manchester United’s dreadful start to the season. Bothroyd believes United’s long decline since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013 has taken the club to the point where they should no longer be expected to challenge for titles or win the majority of their games.
The ex-Cardiff City and Wolves forward claimed, while appearing as a pundit on Sky Sports, that the biggest sign United are no longer an elite club is that they now sign bench players from former rivals such as Chelsea. That is in relation to their £50million summer acquisition of Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos.
Poor start under Carrick
New arrivals Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Carlos Baleba, who was injured until recently, have been unable to meaningfully aid manager Michael Carrick this season. Carrick was appointed as United’s permanent manager in May following a stellar 2025/26 campaign, where he stepped in as interim boss in January and led the club to Champions League qualification.
But things have gone far less smoothly this term, with the Red Devils managing just six points from six games, leaving them 13th in the table. That represents their worst start to a season in 40 years, having suffered two defeats and drawn three games.
Bothroyd's verdict
Bothroyd said: “The time of the Theatre of Dreams is gone, I’m sorry. Man United are where they’re meant to be.
“I remember the Sir Alex Ferguson Man United teams. They were going and signing players from Chelsea and Arsenal. They could pretty much take players off any club in the world.
“Now, they’re getting players from Chelsea’s bench. That doesn’t tell me that you’re doing great business.
“The midfield is a problem. They’ve just got a lot of things going on right now and if they can get into the Champions League or the Europa League, that’s a good achievement from what I’m seeing.
“I don’t think Carrick was backed in the summer. I know they made signings but they weren’t Michael Carrick signings. I think it got to the point where they just needed bodies through the door.”
Latest result and upcoming fixtures
United’s latest result was a dismal 1-1 draw at home against Tottenham. Carrick’s side were dominated by the visitors for much of the game and, despite being a goal up against 10 men, lost out on all three points thanks to Dominic Solanke’s stoppage-time equaliser and some poor defending.
Bothroyd added: “These are worrying times. They didn’t play particularly great football. They were overrun in the first half, they didn’t compete or get the second balls.
“They did have a period just after half-time where they were at it, and they scored. But after that, Tottenham got the red card and they still dominated.
“You look at that and think how is that? They’ve got the numerical advantage. I look at Bruno Fernandes, who’s one of the best Premier League midfielders ever, and he does need help. You would be frustrated if you are that kind of player and playing with team-mates who are not on your level.”
United’s next run of fixtures will not get any easier. They play Atletico Madrid away in the Champions League on Tuesday night before travelling to Elland Road on Saturday and facing Como in Italy next week.
