Manchester United have made their worst start to a season since 1987 and have also broken an unwanted 45-year record after suffering a 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich in their opening Champions League group-stage game at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.
The Red Devils entered the contest in Germany under pressure to turn their fortunes around after making a disappointing start to the new Premier League season, losing three of their opening five matches.
After losing 3-1 at Arsenal before the international break, Man United were condemned to a humbling defeat by the same scoreline at home against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.
Defensive frailties ultimately cost Erik ten Hag‘s side once again against Bayern, with new goalkeeper Andre Onana letting a Leroy Sane strike slip under his body to help the hosts take the lead just before the half-hour mark.
Just four minutes later, United’s backline then failed to stop a mazy run from Jamal Musiala before he set up Serge Gnabry, who found plenty of space inside the area and fired a first-time finish into the bottom corner.
Rasmus Hojlund pulled one back for the visitors with his first Red Devils goal shortly after half time, but Bayern quickly restored their two-goal cushion courtesy of a Harry Kane penalty kick after Christian Eriksen was penalised for handball.
Casemiro netted twice either side of a Mathys Tel strike to provide United with hope of a late comeback, but Bayern held on to claim all three points in their Group A opener, extending their record 35-game unbeaten run in the Champions League group stage in the process.
Man United have now lost four of their opening six matches of a season across all competitions for the first time since the 1986-87 campaign under former manager Ron Atkinson – the same season in which Sir Alex Ferguson would later take charge of the Red Devils.
Ten Hag’s side have also lost each of their last three games during this run and have conceded at least three goals on each occasion, doing so for the first time since December 1978 under former boss Dave Sexton.
In addition, Man United have conceded four goals in a single Champions League game for just the second time, after a 4-0 defeat at Barcelona in November 1994 under Ferguson.
Reflecting on the defeat to Bayern and his individual performance in an interview with TNT Sports, Onana said: “It’s difficult to lose this way because I feel in the beginning, we started very good. After my mistake, we lost the control of the game.
“It’s a difficult situation and for me especially because I’m the one who let the team down. But the team was very good, I think it’s because of me, that they didn’t win this game.
“I’m happy for the work of the team. We just have to move on. This is the life of the goalkeeper and, if we didn’t win today, it is because of me.”
“I think we were very good on the ball,” the Cameroonian goalkeeper added. “They didn’t create any chances. The first shot on target, I made a mistake so I think it was the keeper and the team went down because of that mistake.
“Well, I have to learn from it, be strong and move on. It is not an easy situation. I am very happy with the comeback of the team and fighting until the end but, because of me, we didn’t win.
“I have to recognise that, because of me, we didn’t win.”
Man United will look to return winning ways when they travel to Turf Moor to face newly-promoted Burnley, who are yet to win in the Premier League so far this season, on Saturday night.